Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Why it matters

Clear and well-documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Standard Maintenance Procedures (SMPs) are essential for ensuring consistency, compliance, and operational control—especially in highly regulated and complex sectors like Oil & Gas, Utilities, Mining, and Energy. Without defined procedures, organisations risk inefficiencies, control failures, and inconsistent practices across departments or sites.

At BDO UAE, we help you develop scalable, robust SOPs that embed governance, reduce risk, and support continuous improvement. Our solutions are designed to work within your organisation’s operational reality while meeting local regulations and international standards.

What we do

Our team brings together technical specialists and business professionals to deliver practical, well-integrated SOPs and SMPs that support both frontline operations and corporate functions.

• Process mapping and stakeholder engagement - We engage with your teams to understand workflows, roles, systems, and control points.
• Gap analysis and standardization - We identify inefficiencies, inconsistencies, and undocumented processes—then align and standardise them across your organisation.
• Drafting of SOPs and SMPs - We prepare clear documentation including objectives, scope, responsibilities, step-by-step process flows, internal controls, KPIs, and compliance references.
• Validation with operational teams - Draft SOPs are reviewed in workshops and walkthroughs to ensure they reflect day-to-day practices and gain user acceptance.
• Finalisation and version control - Final SOPs are issued with document control features, ownership clarity, and version history.
• Integration with governance frameworks - We ensure procedures align with your Delegation of Authority (DoA), internal controls, risk registers, and audit frameworks.

Functions we support

Our SOP development services cover a wide range of business and technical functions, including:

• Finance and accounting - General ledger, accounts payable and receivable, fixed assets, closing cycles, and reconciliations
• Procurement and contracting - Tendering, sourcing, vendor onboarding, P2P processes, and contract governance
• Sales and marketing - Customer onboarding, order-to-cash cycles, invoicing, credit management, and revenue recognition
• Inventory and logistics - Material tracking, warehouse management, issuance, and inventory reconciliation
• Treasury and banking - Cash management, banking operations, FX controls, and investment processes
• Human resources and payroll - Recruitment, onboarding, payroll, leave management, benefits, and separation
• Governance and compliance - DoA adherence, policy implementation, regulatory updates, and audit readiness

Our approach

• Cross-functional collaboration – We work with both corporate and operational teams to capture a full view of the process
• Multidisciplinary input – Our teams include engineers, accountants, auditors, and compliance specialists for holistic solutions
• Data- and risk-informed – We use available documentation, audit findings, and risk registers to inform SOP design
• Practical documentation – Our procedures are clear, user-friendly, and built for day-to-day use, not just compliance
• Digital readiness – SOPs can be integrated into document management systems and digital SOP platforms for easy access and updates

What you gain

• Operational consistency – Standardised workflows across sites, teams, and functions
• Improved compliance – Aligned with ISO, UAE regulations, and internal control frameworks
• Reduced risk – Documented procedures reduce reliance on individual knowledge and improve process control
• Greater efficiency – Identifying and addressing process inefficiencies during SOP development
• Stronger governance – SOPs support audit readiness, accountability, and traceability
• Scalable systems – Flexible and version-controlled SOPs can evolve as your business grows

Let’s work together

Whether you’re designing new processes, updating outdated documentation, or harmonising procedures across business units, BDO UAE can support you in building a solid foundation for operational excellence.