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SOPs are typically promulgated by unit member, and are based on unit experience and local conditions. They are normally approved by the unit's Officer Commanding or Commanding Officer .

SOPs differ from Tactics and Strategy in that they are unit orientated and formulated and are not the product of the unit's parent service's doctrinal agencies. Tactics and strategy are generally formulated by official agencies (often service branches, corps or arms) who are tasked for the purpose by the parent service and Published in the service's official service manuals (eg US Field Manuals Australian Manual of Land Warfare[MLW etc). In cases where the unit's SOPs cover the same topical area as doctrine generated by the unit's parent service, the SOP may be considered to be the unit's interpretation of the official doctrine.

SOPs often offer guidance where Official Doctrine is lacking, or extremely broad. SOPs are often used to provide practical detail to the some times high level guidance of official doctrine.

Where official doctrine exists, SOPs will usually, at least in general terms, adhere to the official doctrine. However SOPs may on occasion ignore official doctrine, especially when official doctrine is widely believed throughout the service/corp to be out of date, inadequate or incorrect.

SOPs also differ from standing orders in that they may be legally disregarded or interpreted as required by the situation.

The term SOP is now also widely used outside of the military.

  • Operating Procedures For Process Plants The subject matter presented here discusses the writing, publishing and use of operating procedures for process operations, covering industries such as chemicals manufacturing and distribution, refining, oil and gas operations, transportation and pipelines.


  • Employee Training and Development with SOP Discover how to realize and release the continuous improvement power of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The author uses a common task we are all familiar with, tying a shoe, for a sample SOP.