Key Points

• PSO is the final step in any project.
• It keeps your stakeholders in the loop.
• PSO can act as a release of payment for a given project.
• It can protect your organization from any backlash with the right documentation provided.

The process sign-off is the last step in the completion of a project, and if all the work has been done as required in the allotted amount of time, the sign-off should be event-free.

Overview: What Is the Process Sign-off (PSO)?

It is the sequential review of a supplier’s manufacturing process that is conducted at the conclusion of a project. It also reviews the quality control system in place. The process sign-off procedure includes a list of tasks necessary to be done for processes to be completed as well as the final inspection.

3 Benefits of Process Sign-Off

There are several benefits to having a sound process sign-off implemented:

1. A Clear Conclusion

It signals to all parties involved that there has been a definitive conclusion to a project.

2. Document a Project’s Success or Failure

It provides a clear record to all interested parties as to whether defined goals were met or not.

3. Allows for Commentary

There is usually a place for official comments, observations, and complaints from those involved in the project or stakeholders that help provide a roadmap for the next project.

Why Is Process Sign-off Important to Understand?

For the following reasons, having a good understanding of process sign-off will help you provide a satisfactory conclusion to a project:

It Keeps Stakeholders Aware of the Requirements

Having a process sign-off sheet ahead of a project’s conclusion makes it clear to stakeholders and all involved parties of requirements before a project can officially conclude. This limits any chance of confusion.

You May Need It to Get Paid

Having the necessary signatures on a process sign-off sheet is a signal of a project’s conclusion and acts as a cue for the release of any remaining payment.

It Offers Protection

This is important because if concerns are formally addressed in the sign-off, it offers some protection should the results of the project end up not being satisfactory since the risks involved were documented and signed off on.

An Industry Example of Process Sign-off

A civil engineer is working on a project that involves the building of a bridge. The engineer has had some major concerns throughout the project regarding safety issues related to the structural integrity of the bridge as designed. The engineer has raised numerous complaints only to have the project continue without improvements.

After the project, the engineer formally addresses these concerns in the process sign-off sheet. Within a year, the bridge begins to fail, and everyone is looking for someone to blame. Legal action is threatened against the engineer, but it is found in the sign-off sheet that the engineer was not okay with the design that was used.

Signaling the End

While we discuss other aspects of any process here, the conclusion of a project is a vital thing to keep in mind. As with all steps of your process, having the proper documentation can serve as a learning experience. Additionally, that same documentation can serve as a shield in the event of any sort of backlash.

As such, paying close attention to your process sign-off is quite important as a whole.

4 Best Practices When Thinking About Process Sign-off

It is important to have your process sign-off procedure sufficiently plotted out before implementation. Here are some practices to help ensure this is the case:

1. List Tasks

Preparing for sign-off includes making a list of tasks needed for a final inspection. This may include walking through the process and recognizing what the key stages are, identifying the current status, making notes of any updates to the process, identifying human resources needed for implementation, and others.

2. Designing a Process Sign-Off Procedure

Before a process can be completed and get a sign-off, there needs to be a detailed schedule for the procedure. This means that the time required for all parts of the procedure should be defined and documented. The sequence should be established for all parts of the procedure, as well as each part’s duration.

3. Identification of Issues

Before being able to implement a sign-off procedure, any issues that may hinder a successful sign-off need to be identified and remedied. One example of a barrier to a successful sign-off would be a lack of resources that may cause a delay in the process. Other potential issues could comply with the quality requirements or changes in process specifications. These issues should be listed and presented.

4. After All of the Above Are Done, You Can Make the Sign-Off Sheet and Move Through the Procedure Accordingly.

Other Useful Tools and Concepts

The process sign-off isn’t the only thing to keep in mind when going through a project. It helps to understand the entire scope of a project. As such, learning and understanding the differences between a value stream map and a process map can be invaluable.

Additionally, you might need to take a closer look at your process work. Time studies are one way you see what is being done and when. While these can be resource-intensive, they are a crucial way of accounting for waste and inefficiency in your process.

Conclusion

Ending a project with a process sign-off is vital. Getting a formal sign-off offers protection from liabilities, creates accountability, and builds trust. Do not exclude this important final step from your projects.