SOP Development Worksheet

Developing Standard Operating Procedures

This form is one of many tools that can aid in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). It was developed in response to business owners and managers who expressed frustration and uncertainty, and experienced difficulty in organizing the development of SOP’s in the workplace.

The form contains space for the important aspects of SOP development. Some of these aspects may seem unimportant in the beginning, but experience has show that thinking them through saves time, confusion and frustration later in the process and helps to prevent potentially costly oversights.

The form was designed as a tool to help provide structure and direction to the SOP development process. Use whatever sections of the form make sense for the SOP being developed and the situation in which it will be developed and used. This form may also be helpful when used in combination with other SOP development techniques.

David Grusenmeyer

Sr. Extension Associate, PRO-DAIRY

CornellUniversity

211 Warren Hall

Ithaca, NY 14853

607-255-0756

SOP Development Worksheet

SOP Name: SmallFarmHospital Animal
SOP Number: / Date Written:
Written by: / Date Implemented:
Date Last Revised:

Task Description

Location work is done:
Tie stall/calf area / Number of people required: 1
Skill level: producer decision
Equipment & supplies required:
Thermometer, stethoscope, CMT, Ketostix, sleeves
Personal protective & safety equipment required:
Objective, finished product or result expected:
Decision to treat animal or call veterinarian

Scope of this SOP

Operations covered:
Evaluation of ‘off’ animal / Workers covered:
producer / Locations covered:
All animal areas on this farm
Specific Skills, Training, Certifications, or Licenses Required:
Review of treatment protocols with veterinarian for various treatable conditions commonly identified on the farm.

Protocols (Steps and procedures involved in this task or process. Use as many pages as necessary.)

1. Be certain that animal has access to feed and water without competition and/or harassment from other animals.
2. Identify animal in need of treatment evaluation – scours/diarrhea, respiratory, attitude, appetite, locomotion/stance, production
3. Determine if animal falls within disease and treatment protocols with which producer is comfortable; include early decisions for treatment or culling or euthanasia
4. If producer is uncertain of cause or established treatment SOP, call veterinarian.
5. Provide supportive care without competition or harassment for animals being held for culling