SOP-Standard Operating Procedures vs Project Plans

SOP stands for Standard Operating Procedure and usually applies to operations. In projects we do not have any SOPs but broad guidelines, according to which we develop our project plans. Once we have base lined our plan, we are supposed to follow them religiously as if they are the SOPs in operations. We are not supposed to change them on our own during execution. In case any change is required, a proper procedure for change management exists in plan which will have to be followed in monitoring and control, resulting in an updated plan, a new baseline to again be followed just like a SOP.