Glossary

Definitions of key terms in operations management and process improvement.

6 terms

Operations Fundamentals

Checklist

A Checklist is a structured list of items or tasks used to verify that required steps have been completed. Learn how checklists complement SOPs and improve consistency.

checklistverificationquality-control
Technology & Tools

Knowledge Base

A Knowledge Base is a centralized repository of organized information, procedures, and documentation that teams use to find answers and follow processes. Learn how knowledge bases support operations.

knowledge-basedocumentationknowledge-management
Operations Fundamentals

Process Documentation

Process documentation is the practice of recording how work gets done in your organization. Learn about the types of process documents, why they matter, and how to get started.

process-documentationdocumentationoperations
Operations Fundamentals

Process Map

A Process Map is a visual diagram that shows the sequence of steps, decisions, and handoffs in a business process. Learn how process maps differ from SOPs and when to use them.

process-mapprocess-mappingflowchart
Operations Fundamentals

Standard Operating Procedure

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a documented set of step-by-step instructions for performing a specific task or process consistently. Learn what SOPs are, why they matter, and how to create them.

sopproceduresdocumentation
Operations Fundamentals

Work Instruction

A Work Instruction is a detailed, task-level document that describes exactly how to perform a single activity within a broader process. Learn the difference between work instructions and SOPs.

work-instructionprocedurestask-level
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