What is the purpose of procedure manuals?

The purpose of procedure manuals is to outline processes and steps at a detailed level. These manuals serve as comprehensive guides that document procedures, protocols, and workflows essential for the consistent execution of tasks within an organization. By providing detailed instructions, they help ensure that employees understand their roles and responsibilities, enabling them to perform their duties efficiently and correctly. This can enhance productivity, minimize errors, and promote adherence to best practices. Procedure manuals are particularly important in procurement and other operational areas where following established processes is crucial for compliance and effectiveness.

In contrast, setting broad organizational strategy focuses on long-term goals and direction, which is not the primary aim of a procedure manual. Addressing employee grievances typically falls under human resources policies rather than operational procedures. Establishing general company culture pertains to the overarching values and behaviors of the organization, which are not documented in procedure manuals but rather communicated through various other means such as training and company policies.