Work Instructions

Work instructions are the specific details on how to do a job. They go hand-in-hand with Standard Work. Standard Work lays out the big picture sequence of the work; work instructions spell out the step-by-step methods used to do a job.

Work instructions are characterized by:

• Pictures of how work should be done
• Specifications, such as torque
• Part numbers and quantities of components
• Tools required to do the work
• Special safety instructions

Unlike Standard Work documents, which look similar regardless of the company, individual organizations tend to have unique work instruction sheets.

Small snippets of work instructions might be posted to aid in complicated tasks, but most are generally not used in routine operations. Most commonly, they are used for reference, for training, and to improve processes.