Work Instruction (WI)

A Work Instruction (WI) is a core operational document in foreign trade production and quality management, used to describe in detail the standard operating steps, parameters, tools, and precautions for a specific process or task. It is typically prepared by the process or quality department, aimed at frontline operators, and is a controlled document required by quality management systems such as ISO 9001. Usage scenarios include: production site operations, customer factory audits, product inspection, equipment maintenance, etc. Precautions: WI must be specific, quantifiable, and illustrated with text and diagrams to avoid ambiguity; it must be distinguished from the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)—SOP is process-oriented and macro-level, while WI is step-oriented and micro-level; WI should be version-controlled, and changes must be recorded. In foreign trade, WI is often used as a customer audit or contract attachment to prove that the production process is controllable, ensure product consistency, and reduce return risks.