Quality Procedure and Instruction Writing
Written Procedure Breakdown:
• Introduction: Executive summary (is a
summary of the highlights of your inspection
plan), method(s) to be used, does not
contain the details of the procedure. Type of
discontinuities sought and method
limitations.
• Scope: description part(s) to be inspected,
part dimensions, material. Usually includes
a sketch of the part.
• References and standards: Source of the
documents, title, document identifier
number, date and revision.
• Personnel qualifications: Education and
qualification requirements, responsibilities.
Verification, review and evaluation.
• Safety requirements: Reference general
material (e.g. Company safety
indoctrination). Specific personal protective
equipment. Special considerations re-
inspection equipment, part handling etc.
Discarding of chemical products.
• Preparation of part and site area:
Housekeeping requirement. Ventilation,
lighting, cleanliness, part identification and
reference location(s). Statement of part
surface condition required, e.g. cleanliness
and finish and the extent of area to be
prepared. What do you do if surface cannot
be made suitable, who is responsible.
• Equipment required: List of all the
equipment that is necessary to perform the
inspection including ancillary equipment.
• Equipment calibration: Calibration
intervals, performance checks, control
method(s), e.g. log book.
December, 2010
Written Instruction Breakdown:
• Foreword: Should include: Document
reference and status; Purpose of the test;
Originator's details; Authorising person's
details; safety requirements
• Personnel: The minimum requirements for
training (including job-specific training if
necessary), certification and authorization
of NDT operators.
• Apparatus to be used: Equipment to be
used, together with settings
• Product: (description or drawing, including
area of interest and the purpose of the test)
component identification.
• Test conditions, including preparation for
testing, post test cleaning and
preservation of test object
• Detailed instructions: Step by step
instructions in the application of the NDT
technique, with reference to sketches if
appropriate; a statement instructing the
operator on actions to be taken in the event
that the instruction cannot be applied.
• Recording and classifying the results of
test, action to be taken when defects are
detected
• Reporting the results: Essential data for the
report, e.g.: procedure reference,
component, equipment data ,
settings/sensitivity, location of defects,
status of defects, e.g. accept, reject or
simply record, against agreed standard
code or specification, operator name and
qualification, date of test, operator’s and
/or supervisor’s signature.
Written Procedure Breakdown cont’d:

• Part examination: Part must have its own

technique Include each stage describing the
processes (how). Specify inspection area and
refer to a sketch. Non-relevant indications,
what and how do you deal with them?

• Recording criteria: What is to be recorded

about each part? Inspection parameters, serial
number. If discontinuities to be recorded,
manner of recording. Sketches photos,
dimensions and orientation.

• Acceptance criteria: Type, size, orientation and

position of discontinuities, refer to
specification.

• Disposition instruction: General statement to

contact supervisor or customer if unable to
comply with procedure. Identification of the
part. Quarantining instructions and post
cleaning.

• Reporting criteria: Final reporting instruction.

Details to be included in report.