How do a policy, an SOP, and a work instruction differ in terms of purpose and level of detail?

• A. Policy sets overarching rules; SOP documents the method to perform a process; work instruction provides step-by-step tasks for a specific action within the SOP.
• B. Policy describes the detailed steps of a process; SOP defines the high-level goals; Work instruction sets the organization policy.
• C. SOP defines overarching rules; Policy documents the steps; Work instruction contains inspection criteria.
• D. Work instruction defines why we do things; Policy describes the process; SOP is the same as work instruction.

Answer: (A)

Policy sets overarching rules and guiding principles that govern behavior and compliance across the organization, focusing on what must be done and why it matters rather than how to do it in detail. An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) describes the standard method to carry out a process, outlining the general steps, responsibilities, and the sequence needed to achieve a consistent result. A work instruction goes even further, giving exact, step-by-step tasks for a specific action within the SOP, including precise actions, inputs, tools, and checks used by the person performing the task.

So, the best fit is that policy provides the high-level rules, the SOP defines the method for a process, and the work instruction details the exact steps for a particular action within that SOP. The other descriptions mix up levels or focus (for example, treating detailed steps as policy or describing work instructions as about why), which isn’t accurate for how these documents are typically used.