5. Our advice

5.1 Think about your readers

A procedure is an operational document, whose primary aim is to be understood by those to whom it is addressed. So don't give free rein to your literary talents, even if the document must remain pleasant to read. Choose a precise vocabulary, adapted to the users of the procedure (no business jargon for non-specialists!), use verbs rather than nouns, and keep sentences short, preferably in the active voice.

5.2 Don't write it all down!

Early versions of ISO 9001 required...