Controlled SOP template: approval-tracked, version-controlled
A controlled SOP (standard operating procedure) template (purpose, scope, responsibilities, procedure steps, and references) with approval workflow, version control, and audit trail attached.
How it works
Set the header first
Document number, owner, approver and review interval need to live on the document itself.
Write the scope as a boundary
State both what the procedure covers and what it doesn't.
Draw the steps with their decisions
Replace 'if necessary' and 'as needed' with a decision node and a named owner.
Send it for approval, not for comments
Use the approval workflow so the version gets a signature and a timestamp.
Put the review on the calendar
State the interval on the document, and review the procedure when it lapses or when the process changes.
Frequently asked questions
What makes an SOP 'controlled'?
A controlled SOP has a single authoritative current version, a documented approver, a versioned change history, and a defined review cadence.
How is QueryChart's SOP different from a Word document?
Word documents drift between SharePoint, email, and printouts; there is no enforced approval gate or change diff. QueryChart's SOPs are versioned and approval-tracked by the platform itself.
What should an SOP contain?
A header, purpose, bounded scope, responsibilities, procedure steps with decisions, deviation handling, references and definitions, and a change history.
How often should an SOP be reviewed?
Most quality systems use a one-to-three-year interval, but the more important trigger is a process, system or requirements change.
How do I track the revision history of a controlled SOP?
This page is the SOP's own drafting and approval workflow. The dated log of what changed between versions is a separate artifact: see /templates/sop-revision-history-template.