What’s the difference between an Operations Manual and a Procedures Guide? At first glance, it’s easy to see the confusion as both contain procedures that need to be followed. However, if we look at them a little more closely, we can where and how they differ.
Operations Manuals v Procedures Guides
Samantha emailed me to ask about preparing ‘an operations manual for my employer.’
As nouns the difference between manual and instruction is that manual is a handbook while instruction is (lb) the act of instructing, teaching, or furnishing with information or knowledge. As an adjective manual is performed with the hands (of an activity). A manual or guide will include many sets of instructions. Used alone, however, 'instructions' can refer to the simplest explanatory text— push cap and twist to open, or use other door.
Whereas… procedures show someone the steps to follow to perform a task, which may not be technical.
For example:
How to check a customer’s credit card statement.
How to apply a discount to a customer’s account.
How to update the HR database every quarter.
And so on.
Differences Between Instructions For Use And User Manual 2017
PS – If you’re new to Technical Writing, or have been asked to write technical documents, and don’t know where to ask, send me an email and I’ll show you the best way to get your documents under control.
Differences Between Instructions For Use And User Manual Youtube