What term describes a process or operation that is part of a department's routine but is not written down?

• A. Formal process
• B. SOP
• C. SOG
• D. Informal process

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is recognizing the difference between written and unwritten procedures. An informal process is a routine operation that a department carries out regularly but hasn’t been written down. It relies on experience and habit rather than an official document, so people know how to carry it out through practice rather than instruction.

In contrast, a formal process is documented and standardized; an SOP (standard operating procedure) is a specific written set of steps to follow, and a SOG (standard operating guideline) is also a written guideline. Because this scenario describes something done routinely without formal documentation, the informal process best fits.