"Procedure Writing: Principles and Practices", by Douglas Wieringa, et al, $34.95, Battelle Press, 1993, pp 211. A Book Review by Norman C. Frank, PE, CQE, CQA CER Corporation, Washington, DC This book is based on the authors' experience in writing procedures for the nuclear power industry. This means that people who are in the nuclear power industry will immediately identify with it, and people in other industries will initially find it daunting or believe that it is "not applicable to us". But I ask those people in other industries to persevere. There are many tips and principles that can be immediately transferred to other industries. The process industries, in particular, will find much that they can use in this book. Remember Deming's words: Profound change will only come from outside your company. This book has the potential to bring about profound change in your company. This book brings a level of professionalism to writing procedures that normally is lacking. Unfortunately, the authors assume that procedures will be written by people who have procedure writing in their job description. This is not the case for TQM companies or most other companies where the users write their own procedures. A "writers' guide" is stressed by the authors as being essential in all cases to achieve the consistency needed to have good procedures. The authors stress consistency throughout the book; consistency of vocabulary, consistency of format, consistency of step wording, consistency of emphasis, and much more. This emphasis on consistency is much needed in all industries, based on personal observation. The users of the procedure are the customers of the procedure writer. The authors correctly point out that it is ultimately the writer's task to defend the interests of the users. Procedures are instructions. Benefits of good procedures include: 1) procedures reduce human error, 2) document the best way to perform a task, and 3) provide an administrative record of a procedure's execution. Reasons for resistance to procedures include: 1) procedures are seen as a scapegoat for poor management relations, and 2) the procedures do not address the users' needs. This should be on your shelf of helpful QA books. You can buy this book from: Battelle Press 505 King Avenue Columbus, OH 43201-2693 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Frank has over 20 years experience in the field of quality, primarily in the area of nuclear quality assurance. He is currently in Washington, D.C., with CER Corporation out of Las Vegas, Nevada.