How to approve an SOP
Approve an SOP only after technical accuracy, affected controls, exceptions and required training have been reviewed by authorized roles. See a worked QueryChart workflow and the checks needed to use it.
Approve an SOP only after technical accuracy, affected controls, exceptions and required training have been reviewed by authorized roles.
The short version
- Complete technical review: Verify steps, limits, hazards, decisions, records and deviation handling with the people who know the work.
- Make the approval decision: Use a named authorized approver; record approval or rejection against the exact candidate revision.
- Release the issue: Assign the effective date, checkpoint the version, publish one current copy and trigger required training.
How to approve an SOP in practice
A signature is a decision about suitability for use, not just acknowledgement of receipt. The approver needs a controlled candidate revision, resolved comments and a clear effective date.
Route the draft to a subject matter expert, resolve failures, then obtain the designated approver’s decision. Checkpoint the approved version with actor and time, publish it as current and complete any training gate before use.
Follow technical review into approval
See where an inaccurate draft loops back before an authorized issue is published.
Complete technical review
The draft includes number, owner, scope, steps and deviation handling before a reviewer evaluates it.
Make the approval decision
A technical-accuracy decision loops failed content back for correction before approval is requested.
Release the issue
The approver signs off, the version is checkpointed and the controlled current issue is published.
How it works
Complete technical review
Verify steps, limits, hazards, decisions, records and deviation handling with the people who know the work.
Make the approval decision
Use a named authorized approver; record approval or rejection against the exact candidate revision.
Release the issue
Assign the effective date, checkpoint the version, publish one current copy and trigger required training.
Mistakes to avoid
Approving a moving draft
Freeze the candidate revision before sign-off so the approval names the exact content issued.
Related QueryChart feature
Open the worked workflow
Adapt the controlled SOP example to your roles and publish one current approved issue.
Frequently asked questions
Can the writer approve their own SOP?
Follow your organization’s independence and authority rules; critical SOPs often need a separate reviewer or approver.
What should the approval record identify?
Approver, decision, exact revision, date and any conditions.
Is approval the same as publication?
No. Approval authorizes issue; publication and training make the instruction usable.