Ch.21: Instructions and Procedures

• Know how instructions and procedures are used in the workplace
• Procedures are used so that all members of a particular group follow the same steps for a task
• Responsible jobs require you to write and read instructions
• Recognize the various formats for hard-copy instructions
• Manuals
• Brief reference cards
• Instructional brochures
• Hyperlinked instructions
• Online instructions
• Understand how instructions have serious legal implications
• Failure to instruct and caution users in the proper use of a product
• Failure to warn against the hazards from proper use of a product
• Failure to warn against the possible misuses of a product
• Failure to explain a product's benefits and risks in language that average consumers can understand
• Failure to convey the extent of risk with forceful language
• Failure to display warnings prominently 
• Compare the benefits of print, digital, online, and video instructions
• Digital and Online
• PDFs allow instructions to be accessed online
• Instructional CDs
• Video
• Allows people to see the full range of actions required
• Write a set of Instructions
• Elements of Effective Instructions
• Clear and limiting title
• Informed content
• Visuals
• Appropriate level of detail and technicality
• Logically ordered steps
• Notes and hazard notices
• Readability
• Effective Design
• Outline for instructions
• Introduction
• Required steps
• Conclusion
• Understand how procedures differ from instructions
• Instructions show a person how to perform a task
• Procedures show someone who knows how to perform the task, how to follow accepted practice
• Write a set of procedures
• Procedures aren't always used for sequential actions and may not require numbers
• They are used to streamline a set of actions in an organization