Standard operating procedures are essential for safe and efficient operations, yet they can fall short when they don’t reflect how work is actually carried out or adequately address the potential for human error.

In this paper, Dr. David Embrey and Richard Marshall introduce Intelligent Operating Procedures (IOPS) – a structured, risk-based approach that integrates Human Factors safety analysis directly into the development of operating procedures. The process combines task analysis, predictive human error analysis and Performance Influencing Factors (PIFs) to identify what can go wrong and ensure critical warnings and insights are incorporated at the right point in the procedure.

Drawing on the application of IOPS within safety-critical industries, the paper explains how organisations can develop procedures that are clearer, easier to understand and learn, and more closely aligned with how tasks are performed in practice – while supporting COMAH Human Factors task reviews and wider competency management.