Documentation Glossary

An approval workflow is a structured process that routes documents, requests, or transactions through predetermined approval stages to ensure proper review, authorization, and compliance before final approval.

A business process is a series of connected activities and tasks that turn specific inputs into useful outputs, helping organizations reach their goals while keeping quality and efficiency in check.

A structured list of tasks, items, or criteria that must be completed, verified, or reviewed to ensure consistent execution of a process or procedure.

A desktop procedure is a detailed document that provides step-by-step instructions for completing specific tasks from start to finish at an individual workstation or desk.

A digital SOP is an electronic version of a standard operating procedure that can be created, updated, distributed, and tracked using software rather than paper-based documentation.

A systematic approach to managing documents throughout their lifecycle, ensuring proper creation, review, approval, distribution, version tracking, and archival to maintain accuracy and compliance.

The systematic evaluation of documentation for accuracy, completeness, clarity, and compliance with standards before publication or at regular intervals.

Recommended practices or principles that provide direction for decision-making and behavior without being mandatory requirements.

A step-by-step instructional document that teaches users how to accomplish a specific task or achieve a particular goal through clear, sequential actions and practical examples.

A document that provides clear, step-by-step guidance on how to use, assemble, operate, or maintain a product, system, or process.

An internal process is a structured sequence of activities, tasks, and decisions executed entirely within an organization to accomplish specific business objectives without involving external parties.

An operational process is a core business activity that directly creates value for customers by transforming inputs into products or services, encompassing the day-to-day workflows that drive revenue and deliver organizational outcomes.

A comprehensive reference document that consolidates all standard operating procedures, policies, and processes required to run an organization or department effectively.

A playbook is a comprehensive collection of processes, procedures, and best practices designed to guide teams through specific business situations or operational scenarios.

A comprehensive document outlining an organization's rules, policies, and guidelines that govern employee behavior, decision-making, and operations across the company.

Policy vs procedure refers to the fundamental distinction between high-level organizational rules (policies) and step-by-step instructions for executing tasks (procedures).

A procedure manual is a comprehensive document that compiles detailed instructions and guidelines for performing specific tasks and processes within an organization.

A process is a series of activities that transform inputs into outcomes, while a procedure is a detailed set of instructions for completing a specific task within that process.

A detailed written record that outlines the tasks, steps, and workflows needed to complete a business process from start to finish.

A formal set of rules or procedures that must be followed in specific situations to ensure consistency, compliance, and proper execution of tasks.

A high-level document that defines an organization's quality management system, describing the framework, policies, objectives, and procedures for maintaining quality across all operations.

A concise document that summarizes key information, procedures, or commands in one to two pages for easy access during task execution, serving as immediate performance support.

A reference guide is a concise document that provides quick access to key information, procedures, or specifications for completing specific tasks or using tools and systems.

A runbook is a documented set of procedures and instructions for maintaining, troubleshooting, and responding to operational incidents in IT systems and infrastructure.

A comprehensive technical document that provides detailed instructions for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing products, equipment, or systems.

In business, SOP stands for Standard Operating Procedure—a documented set of step-by-step instructions that defines how to perform routine tasks consistently and efficiently.

SOP scope defines the boundaries, applicability, and limitations of a standard operating procedure, specifying who should follow it, where it applies, and what it covers.

The key difference between an SOP and a work instruction lies in their depth—SOPs define what needs to be done at a process level, while work instructions explain how to perform a specific task step-by-step.

A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions that documents how to perform routine business operations to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance.

A step-by-step guide is a structured document that breaks down a task or process into sequential, actionable steps to help users complete an activity successfully.

A detailed reference document that provides technical specifications, operational procedures, maintenance guidelines, and troubleshooting instructions for complex equipment, systems, or software applications.

A template is a pre-designed document or file structure with standardized format, placeholders, and sections that provides a consistent starting point for creating similar documents, reducing time and ensuring uniformity across an organization.

A user guide is a concise, task-oriented document that provides step-by-step instructions for using a product, software, or service to accomplish specific goals.

A comprehensive document that provides instructions, guidelines, and reference information to help users understand and effectively operate a product, system, or service.

A video-based standard operating procedure that uses visual demonstrations to show employees exactly how to complete specific tasks or workflows.

A visual work instruction is a step-by-step guide that uses images, videos, diagrams, and other visual elements to demonstrate how to perform a task, making procedures easier to understand and follow than text-only instructions.

SOP stands for Standard Operating Procedure, a documented set of step-by-step instructions that guides employees through routine business operations consistently and efficiently.

A work instruction is a detailed, step-by-step guide that provides specific, technical instructions on how to complete a particular task or operation within a larger business process.

A workflow is a repeatable sequence of tasks, activities, and decision points organized in a specific order to accomplish a defined objective efficiently and consistently within a business process.

On-demand assistance that appears within an application interface at the precise moment and location where users need it, providing relevant information based on their current state and actions.

A collaborative internal platform where employees create, edit, and maintain organizational knowledge, acting as a shared repository for company information.

Documentation culture is the organizational practice of making thorough, accessible, and consistent documentation a core part of daily operations, where knowledge capture and sharing are embedded into every process, decision, and project.

A person assigned responsibility for creating, maintaining, reviewing, and updating specific documentation or documentation sets within an organization.

Documentation created specifically to help end users understand, operate, and troubleshoot a product or service without requiring technical expertise.

Knowledge that can be easily documented, codified, and shared through written or recorded formats such as manuals, databases, and standard operating procedures.

A public-facing repository of information designed to help customers, partners, or the general public find answers to questions without contacting support.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is a document or page section that compiles common questions and their answers about a specific topic, product, or service to help users find information quickly without contacting support.

A centralized repository of self-service documentation, FAQs, and support resources designed to help customers find answers to common questions independently.

Contextual help and interactive instructions delivered directly within a software application interface that guides users through tasks, features, and workflows without requiring them to leave the application.

A centralized, private repository of organizational information accessible only to employees, containing company policies, procedures, training materials, and proprietary knowledge.

A private, collaborative website where employees create, edit, and share company knowledge, policies, and documentation in real time.

A knowledge article is a structured document in a knowledge base that provides information, instructions, or solutions to specific questions, problems, or topics to help users find answers independently.

A centralized repository of information that stores, organizes, and provides access to documentation, procedures, and expertise within an organization.

Knowledge management is the strategic process of capturing, organizing, sharing, and effectively using organizational knowledge to improve decision-making, innovation, and operational efficiency.

The process of exchanging information, skills, and expertise among individuals or teams within an organization to improve collective understanding and performance.

Knowledge transfer is the systematic process of capturing, documenting, and transferring critical information, skills, and expertise from one person or team to another within an organization.

A knowledge management principle where all relevant organizational information is documented and stored in one centralized, authoritative location for consistent access.

Written resources that help customers and support teams troubleshoot issues, understand products, and resolve common problems through self-service or guided assistance.

Unwritten knowledge gained through personal experience and insight that is difficult to formalize, document, or transfer to others.

Written materials that explain the use, functionality, architecture, or specifications of a product, system, or service to its intended audience.

Unwritten, undocumented information, processes, or expertise that exists only in the minds of certain employees and has not been formally recorded or shared.

A systematic approach to tracking and managing changes to documents, files, or code over time, maintaining a complete history of modifications and enabling rollback to previous versions.

A 30-60-90 day plan is a structured onboarding framework that divides a new employee's first three months into three phases, each with specific goals and milestones to accelerate integration and productivity.

A concise reference document that provides quick access to essential information, key steps, or critical details for completing specific tasks or processes.

A training approach that focuses on learners acquiring and demonstrating specific skills and competencies required for effective job performance rather than completing time-based courses.

Mandatory training programs that educate employees on laws, regulations, and company policies they must follow to avoid legal and ethical violations.

A training approach where employees learn skills and tasks outside their primary job role to increase organizational flexibility, ensure business continuity, and support career development.

A comprehensive document that outlines company policies, procedures, expectations, and workplace guidelines for all employees within an organization.

An introductory document that helps new users begin using a product, service, or system by covering initial setup, basic functionality, and foundational concepts needed for successful adoption.

A practical tool that provides workers with immediate access to task-specific information, procedures, or guidance at the point of need, reducing reliance on memory and improving performance consistency.

Just-in-Time Training delivers learning content precisely when employees need it to complete specific tasks, providing immediate performance support at the point of work.

A brief, informal assessment used during or after training to verify learner understanding and reinforce retention of key information without formal grading.

A structured sequence of training activities and resources designed to guide employees through progressive skill development toward specific competencies or job roles.

A training approach that delivers focused, bite-sized learning content in short sessions, typically 2-10 minutes, designed around a single learning objective.

New employee orientation is the formal process of introducing new hires to an organization, covering company culture, policies, benefits, workplace expectations, and essential information needed for their first days on the job.

New hire onboarding is the strategic process of integrating new employees into an organization through structured training, orientation, and support activities that span from pre-arrival through their first year.

New hire training is the structured process of teaching new employees the skills, knowledge, and competencies they need to perform their job roles effectively within an organization.

A hands-on learning method where employees acquire skills by performing actual job tasks under the guidance of experienced coworkers or supervisors.

A structured list of tasks and activities designed to guide new employees through their first days, weeks, or months at an organization.

An onboarding portal is a centralized digital platform where new employees complete onboarding tasks, access training materials, sign documents, and find company resources in one location.

Performance support provides employees with on-demand access to information, tools, and guidance exactly when and where they need it to complete tasks efficiently.

Training that teaches employees how to perform specific business processes, workflows, or procedures correctly and consistently to ensure operational efficiency and quality outcomes.

A concise document designed to help users get started with a product, service, or process as quickly as possible by focusing on essential setup steps and basic functionality.

A reference card is a compact, portable document that summarizes key information, commands, or procedures in a condensed format for quick consultation during work without requiring digital access.

Structured learning programs designed to develop specific abilities, competencies, or technical proficiencies that employees need for effective job performance and career advancement.

Educational programs designed to teach employees how to properly follow and execute standard operating procedures, ensuring consistent task completion and operational excellence across the organization.

A tip sheet is a concise, single-page document that provides practical advice, helpful hints, or best practices for completing specific tasks or improving performance in a particular area.

A training methodology where subject matter experts or instructors are trained to effectively teach specific content and skills to other employees within an organization.

The systematic evaluation of employee knowledge, skills, or abilities before, during, or after training to measure learning effectiveness, identify gaps, and ensure competency development.

Structured materials that capture and communicate the knowledge, processes, and skills employees need to perform their jobs effectively.

The degree to which a training program achieves its intended learning outcomes, improves employee performance, and delivers measurable business results for the organization.

A comprehensive reference document that provides detailed instructions, procedures, and information needed to perform specific job functions or operate systems effectively.

Resources, content, and tools used to facilitate learning and skill development in training programs, including documents, videos, presentations, and interactive content.

Training metrics are quantifiable measurements used to track, evaluate, and validate the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of employee training programs within an organization.

A training platform is a digital system that enables organizations to create, deliver, manage, and track employee training programs and learning content across the enterprise.

Training ROI (Return on Investment) is a metric that quantifies the financial return an organization receives from training programs by comparing the monetary benefits against the total training costs.

A video-based learning resource that teaches specific skills, procedures, or concepts to employees through visual and audio instruction.

A how-to video that provides step-by-step instructions to teach viewers how to complete a specific task, use software, or learn a new skill.

A visual technique that uses diagrams and flowcharts to document how work flows through a business process, identifying steps, decision points, and stakeholder responsibilities.

A software platform that enables organizations to create, deliver, track, and manage training programs, educational content, and employee development initiatives in a centralized digital environment.

A chronological record of all changes made to a document or file, showing who made each modification, when it occurred, and what was changed.