SOPs: Working with Saved SOP Templates

Once you save an SOP Template to your SOPs, it will be listed in your SOPs module. At this point, you'll be able to edit all parts of the SOP and begin assigning it.

Tip: Don't change the names of Simplifya templates after saving them. This will make it easier to track which template (and package) an SOP came from.

Best Practices for Working with Saved Templates

To make it easier to track saved templates, as well as to ensure edits don't create any gaps in compliance, we recommend the following best practices:

• Don't remove any SOP tasks that have a citation attached to them (and be careful when editing such tasks)
  A task that has citations attached to it is a task that is required by the regs. If you delete these tasks, you may be deleting legally required activities from your SOP. Generally speaking, the tasks with citations attached are the most important tasks on your SOP.
  
  
• Don't remove any key ideas in the SOP fields on the "General Info" tab (in particular, mentions of citations)
  Same idea as above: if it has a citation attached or mentioned, it relates to a legal requirement. Your headers are designed to give appropriate context to the tasks on your SOP, so deleting any content in your headers that relate to a citation may remove the necessary context for the tasks. 
  
  
• Do add additional citations for other sets of regulations you might need to comply with
  Simplifya's SOP templates cover your state's requirements with regard to SOPs. Since your saved template is editable, you're able to add other relevant tasks or citations that pertain to any local jurisdiction requirements.  
  
  
• Do add other pieces of information to the SOP fields that your employees will find useful
  Our SOP templates are designed to sufficiently cover your state's requirements, but to also be generic enough that they are useful to all companies. If you feel like there is other information specific to your business that can be added to the SOP fields on the "General Info" tab to help your employees complete the SOP tasks, by all means, add that info! 
  
  
• Do check the SOP Template Library for updated versions of the SOP Templates if the regulations change
  As the regs change, we update our SOP templates to reflect those changes. Check your SOP Template Library module after reg updates to save the latest version of your template. When you do, it will automatically save as a new version of your existing template for easier tracking.
  
  
• Do check the "Policy" field citations and identify the statutes and regulations that apply to your license type, if applicable.
  Simplifya SOP packages are designed to be operation-specific. Thus, there may some license type citations that may not apply to your license. If there are license type citations that don't apply to your business, feel free to delete these from your saved template. 
  • Tip: Use the Find function to search the section or chapter of the statute or regulation that applies to your license type.

And remember to be smart when creating new versions of your SOP, because smart versioning is your best friend when documenting your history of compliance.

To freshen up on SOP versioning, read How to create a new version of an SOP.