![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SOP-templates-cover-1024x512.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat is a standard operating procedure?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a document that outlines each role\u2019s responsibilities and explains the necessary procedures to complete tasks successfully.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The SOP helps standardize quality and simplify the onboarding process, making it an essential document in any industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In it, you can describe what every team member needs to do and how they should perform each task. Plus, you can attach additional resources so that no information gets lost. This way, you\u2019ll make sure everyone is on the same page and avoid any misunderstandings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start organizing your workflow in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Implementing a standard operating procedure helps you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, creating SOPs requires an initial investment of time and mental energy. But it\u2019s quite useful later on as it helps standardize all your workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve prepared 9 customizable templates to save you the trouble of creating them from scratch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below, you\u2019ll find pre-made free SOP templates ranging from general ones to those for specific industries, such as HR and IT, in 3 different formats: Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and PDF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This standard SOP template is versatile and adaptable to any type of job, so you can use it to outline standard operating procedures easily, no matter the team or industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The template covers all the important points every SOP should have, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n Use Plaky's pre-made PM templates or create your own to streamline information sharing across all teams.<\/p>\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n With this HR SOP template, you can easily create standard operating procedures for every HR activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Human resources professionals often have a lot on their plate, as they take part in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This template helps you track processes linked to each of these activities, helping you keep all HR procedures uniform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking to learn more about project management in human resources? Take a look at our guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n Invite an unlimited number of team members to manage all HR projects in one place. Try Plaky by CAKE.com today!<\/p>\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This customer support SOP template outlines procedures for handling general inquiries, complaints, and refund requests. Of course, you can easily expand the template to fit the specifics of your product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CS agents usually handle time-sensitive requests around the clock, so they\u2019re an important part of creating a positive customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this SOP template, you can define priority levels for your ticket system, allowing agents to quickly reference it and determine how they should categorize and handle certain requests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use this sales SOP template to document how teams should handle each phase of the sales process, step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much like HR, sales teams have a wide range of responsibilities, from generating potential leads to nurturing leads and customers after the initial sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this template, you can come up with a detailed SOP for every step of the process, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our article to learn why lead management is important and how to guide your customers through the sales journey:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our marketing SOP template is great for compiling all the procedures of the entire team in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use it to cover procedures for a wide range of important marketing processes, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with the other templates, you can easily add new elements or remove existing ones if they don\u2019t fit your company\u2019s marketing operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to learn more about marketing project management, take a look at this article for some detailed insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n Manage your marketing goals, budgets, and campaigns from start to finish with Plaky by CAKE.com. Start your trial today!<\/p>\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Running a small business with a versatile team? This SOP template can help your employees carry out a wide range of complex tasks efficiently by letting them know how certain problems should be handled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our small business SOP template helps you set up various procedures for day-to-day operations of a wide range of businesses that include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use this template for a store, a restaurant, or any other similar business in the service industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n Take control of your business and achieve better project results by managing your team's workload with Plaky by CAKE.com. Try it today!<\/p>\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our IT SOP template can help you define the roles and responsibilities of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some IT roles require a more detailed SOP. However, this template can easily be adjusted to accommodate all processes, no matter the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly to the marketing SOP template, our advertising agency SOP template outlines the responsibilities of all the different departments within an agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use this template to define the roles typically found in an advertising agency, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The template\u2019s universal form makes it easy to adapt to any team, no matter how specific its roles are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download:<\/strong> Google Docs<\/a> | Word<\/a> | PDF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for a clean, simple, and straightforward template for a standard operating procedure, then this is the template for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our simple SOP template focuses on the core elements of an SOP:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The template is best used for smaller tasks and subtasks that don\u2019t fit in with the more comprehensive templates or official documentation. You can also use it as a personal checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n Collaborate with an unlimited number of people on as many projects as you want with Plaky by CAKE.com. Start your trial today!<\/p>\n\n Need help creating an SOP? Here are the main steps you should follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, don\u2019t forget to clarify terminology and add resources. All team members should be able to easily check the meaning of any technical term or abbreviation and have quick access to any extra materials and tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Managing work processes requires a wide range of documents that are easily lost and forgotten about. In Plaky<\/a> by CAKE.com<\/a>, you can document all processes and neatly organize all your SOPs and other important files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, you can simply create an item for each SOP and link the document in the appropriate field. Once all the documents are collected in one board<\/a>, your team can access them easily at any time \u2014 without having to dig through emails, DMs, chat notifications, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n But centralizing all SOPs in one place is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to managing work documents and processes in Plaky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plaky by CAKE.com is an easy-to-use project management tool that helps you track specific tasks and manage your project workflows<\/a> more efficiently. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The free plan is quite generous, but you can get your hands on even more features like private boards, automations, and custom board templates with Plaky\u2019s paid plans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy you need an SOP document<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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9 free SOP templates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
#1 Standard SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Standard-SOP-1024x923.png\")
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User-friendly project management templates<\/h2>\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/plaky\/banners\/default@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n#2 HR SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/HR-SOP-1024x933.png\")
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HR project management software<\/h2>\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/plaky\/banners\/landing-1@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n#3 Customer support SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Customer-Support-SOP-1-1024x923.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n#4 Sales SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Sales-SOP-1024x908.png\")
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#5 Marketing SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Marketing-SOP-1024x935.png\")
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Top-notch marketing project management tool<\/h2>\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/plaky\/banners\/landing-2@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n#6 Small business SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Small-business-SOP-1024x904.png\")
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Project management app for small businesses<\/h2>\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/plaky\/banners\/landing-3@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n#7 IT SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/IT-SOP-1024x933.png\")
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#8 Advertising agency SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Agency-SOP-1024x918.png\")
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#9 Simple SOP template<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Simple-SOP-1024x674.png\")
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First-rate project management software<\/h2>\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/plaky\/banners\/landing-4@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nA step-by-step guide to writing an SOP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Manage your work processes with Plaky by CAKE.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Creating](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Creating-a-centralized-SOP-base-in-Plaky-1-1024x869.png\")
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