Example SOPs: Technical Author

Technical Author SOPs

Creating Standard Operating Procedures for your Technical Author work can be difficult and take time. That’s why we’ve created these example Technical Author SOPs so you can jumpstart your SOP creation process. We want to help you set up your Writing systems and processes by taking these sample SOPs and building out your own SOPs template library. By having all your Writing procedures in one place, your team will have the information they need at all times. Let’s look at some Technical Author SOP examples.

Technical Author SOP Examples

1. SOP: Document Planning and Organization
Purpose: This SOP outlines the process of planning and organizing technical documents to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency. It includes determining the target audience, defining the document’s purpose, and creating an outline. The goal is to provide a structured approach to document creation.
Scope: Technical authors responsible for creating various types of technical documents, such as user manuals, installation guides, and troubleshooting guides.
Person Responsible: Technical author or assigned team member.
References: This SOP may reference other SOPs related to document formatting, style guidelines, and content creation.

2. SOP: Research and Information Gathering
Purpose: This SOP guides technical authors on how to conduct thorough research and gather relevant information for their writing projects. It includes identifying reliable sources, conducting interviews, and utilizing internal resources. The aim is to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is incorporated into the technical documents.
Scope: Technical authors involved in creating technical documents that require extensive research and information gathering.
Person Responsible: Technical author or assigned team member.
References: This SOP may reference other SOPs related to conducting interviews, utilizing internal databases, and evaluating the credibility of sources.

3. SOP: Writing and Editing
Purpose: This SOP outlines the process of writing and editing technical documents. It includes guidelines for structuring content, using appropriate language, and ensuring consistency throughout the document. The goal is to produce clear, concise, and error-free technical writing.
Scope: Technical authors responsible for creating and editing technical documents.
Person Responsible: Technical author or assigned team member.
References: This SOP may reference other SOPs related to document formatting, style guidelines, and grammar and spelling checks.

4. SOP: Review and Approval Process
Purpose: This SOP defines the review and approval process for technical documents. It includes guidelines for peer review, subject matter expert (SME) review, and management approval. The aim is to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and quality of the technical documents before they are finalized.
Scope: Technical authors, peer reviewers, SMEs, and management involved in the review and approval process.
Person Responsible: Technical author or assigned team member, peer reviewers, SMEs, and management.
References: This SOP may reference other SOPs related to the roles and responsibilities of reviewers, feedback collection, and revision process.

5. SOP: Version Control and Document Management
Purpose: This SOP outlines the procedures for version control and document management. It includes guidelines for naming conventions, file organization, and document storage. The goal is to maintain a centralized and organized repository of technical documents, ensuring easy access and traceability.
Scope: Technical authors and document management personnel responsible for version control and document management.
Person Responsible: Technical author or assigned team member, document management personnel.
References: This SOP may reference other SOPs related to file naming conventions, document storage systems, and access control.

6. SOP: Translation and Localization
Purpose: This SOP provides guidelines for translating and localizing technical documents for different target languages and cultures. It includes procedures for working with translation agencies, managing glossaries, and adapting content to meet cultural requirements. The aim is to ensure accurate and culturally appropriate translations of technical documents.
Scope: Technical authors involved in creating documents for international markets and translation agencies.
Person Responsible: Technical author or assigned team member, translation agencies.
References: This SOP may reference other SOPs related to translation quality assurance, glossary management, and cultural adaptation.

7. SOP: Document Maintenance and Updates
Purpose: This SOP outlines the procedures for maintaining and updating technical documents. It includes guidelines for tracking document changes, managing revision history, and incorporating feedback from users. The goal is to ensure that technical documents remain accurate, relevant, and up-to-date.
Scope: Technical authors responsible for maintaining and updating technical documents.
Person Responsible: Technical author or assigned team member.
References: This SOP may reference other SOPs related to feedback collection, revision process, and version control

Technical Author SOP Templates

Looking for SOP templates for your Technical Author work? We’ve got you covered. You can build out your company SOPs using the sample SOP information above (added to our template) or our team can put together a starter SOPs template based on your Technical Author work. Get in touch if you’ve got questions about the quickest way to build out your Writing SOPs library.