Digital Work Instructions

One standard. Across all processes.
Across all sites.

Create a reliable single point of truth for your work instructions. Modular, variant-safe, and consistently designed for use on the shopfloor.

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Screenshot of the Operations1 document editor used to edit a machine assembly instruction, featuring mandatory fields, selection questions, and a translation dialog displayed on the side.

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Digital work instructions as the foundation for your efficient manufacturing

Productive faster

Up to 70% less training effort and significantly shorter ramp-up phases enable new employees to become productive quickly.

Produce reliably

Guided work instructions reduce error rates by more than 90% and significantly cut unplanned downtime in day-to-day manufacturing operations.

Reduce effort

Centralized maintenance and reuse of content reduce documentation and maintenance effort by up to 95%.
Document creation

Create and standardize digital work instructions centrally

Create digital work instructions directly in the software using the intuitive drag-and-drop editor. Reduce manual creation effort and establish a reliable process standard across all sites.

  • No-code document creation via drag and drop

  • Wide range of interactions for structuring steps

  • Structuring based on process, product, or equipment logic

  • Standardized templates and reusable building blocks

  • Multi-level approval workflows (Multi-Level Reviews)

Intuitive digital checklists and work instructions
AI Document Automator

Convert documents quickly with AI

Use AI to transfer existing Microsoft Office or PDF documents directly into structured digital work instructions. This eliminates manual transfer work and stops error-prone copy-and-paste processes.

  • AI-based conversion of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files

  • Automatic structuring of content and work steps

  • Consolidation of distributed files into a single system logic

Feature details
Transfer and create work instructions quickly with AI
Image editor

Use images in a clear and task-specific way

Edit images directly in the system and adapt them to the specific work context. This ensures clear explanations of work steps – even for highly complex tasks.

  • Integration of images into work and inspection steps

  • Cropping and rotating images

  • Use of markers and highlights to focus on key details

  • Use of shapes, text elements, and pictograms for visual explanation

Add markers, text and pictograms to images
Video-Editor

Prepare videos and integrate them directly into work instructions

Integrate videos directly into your work instructions and assign them to individual steps. Explain complex processes visually and intuitively – without the need for external video tools.

  • Integrated video editor with comprehensive functionality

  • Trimming videos to the relevant sequences

  • Optimized for use on small screens on the shopfloor

Trim and edit videos
Process logic

Rule-based worker guidance with clear process logic

Control the sequence of work steps using defined decision logic. Reduce room for interpretation and support employees in error-free execution, even without long onboarding times.

  • If-then interactions for context-dependent next steps

  • Predefined process logic instead of static maximum lists

  • Structured step guidance for efficient training on the job 

Define conditions for work steps
Operations1 Assistant App

Use work instructions on mobile devices on the shopfloor

Bring digital work instructions directly into manufacturing via tablet or smartphone. The user interface is clearly structured and specifically designed for easy operation in demanding shopfloor environments.

  • Mobile app for tablet and smartphone (Android and iOS)

  • Direct access to work instructions, checklists, and tasks

  • Camera use for photos, videos, and QR code scans

  • Full offline use with limited network coverage

A form step displays the question “Is the engine cover in a good condition?” with response options “yes, no issues,” “some scratches,” and “bumps are visible.”
Variant management

Control variant diversity without maximum lists

Create variant-specific work instructions and show workers only the information that is relevant for the specific product, machine, or order. This minimizes maintenance effort despite high variant diversity.

  • Context-dependent content control within work instructions

  • Precise mapping of product, machine, and order variants

  • Foundation for a standardized, scalable variant logic

Modular structure in documents
Modularity

Maintain and reuse modular work instructions centrally

Build your work instructions from reusable building blocks and keep content centrally up to date. Changes to a module are automatically applied to all linked documents. 

  • Central maintenance of identical content across product and machine variants

  • Automatic inheritance of changes in linked documents (single source of truth)

  • Module overviews to track module usage across documents

  • End-to-end versioning and approval logs for complete audit compliance

Module tree for complete module overview
Multilingual work instructions

Translate work instructions with AI and roll them out in multiple languages

Translate your work instructions automatically with AI directly in the software and make them available in multiple languages. This keeps content centrally maintained and allows flexible rollout within individual plants or across sites.

  • Integrated automatic AI translation of work instructions

  • Central management of multilingual content

  • Consistent standards across sites and countries

Reduced effort with automatic AI translation
Analytics

Analyze the use of instructions and process data

Analyze how work instructions are used and evaluate your process data directly in the system. Gain full transparency into your workflows and create a data-based foundation for continuous improvement (CIP).

  • Detailed analytics on the use of work instructions

  • Identification of faulty interactions and process steps

  • Comparison of usage and process data over time

Analytics dashboard with a date range selector, usage metrics, and line charts showing report activity over time.
System integration

Embed work instructions into end-to-end processes

Bridge your IT landscape and the shopfloor. By integrating with your existing systems, order data and feedback flow automatically – enabling error-free processes without media breaks from planning to execution.

  • Integrated automatic AI translation of work instructions

  • Central management of multilingual content

  • Consistent standards across sites and countries

Software UI focused on an English-language checklist workflow, highlighting task steps, request information actions, and integration logos such as Microsoft 365, SAP, SQL, Oracle, DeepL, and Sage.
Introduction & scaling

From pilot project to a global standard in manufacturing

Start with a focused proof of concept (PoC) that delivers quick wins. Use best practices from the guided pilot to scale the solution step by step to additional areas and roll it out globally across sites.

  • Accompanying support during pilot, rollout, and ongoing use

  • Step-by-step expansion to additional processes and areas

  • Central content as the basis for global excellence standards

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Focused start and company-wide rollout

Proven results from the shopfloor

How Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH realizes consistent quality globally

  • -70% effort involved in training new employees

  • 5 temporary workers can be supervised simultaneously

  • -66% time required for production relocation

Learn more
Events & Webinars

Insights and best practices for industrial manufacturing

Live webinar
Live webinar

Operational Excellence 2026: How variant handling will increase your profits.

Feb. 10, 2026
5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. CET
via Zoom
Live webinar
Live webinar

From audit strain to competitive advantage: How digital checklists secure compliance and drive performance.

Feb. 17, 2026
5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. CET
via Zoom

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Get in touch with our product experts to find out how you can benefit from Operations1.

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FAQ

  • How do I create digital work instructions?

    Digital work instructions are created by transferring analog or static content into a structured, interactive software solution. In Operations1, creation is done using a no-code drag-and-drop editor that allows work steps to be structured according to process, product, or equipment logic.

    Existing Microsoft Office or PDF documents can be transformed into structured electronic work instructions using the AI Document Automator, without manual transfer errors. The content is enriched with integrated image and video editors that enable visual explanations directly in the work context.

  • Can feedback loops for continuous improvement (CIP) be integrated?

    Digital work instructions allow feedback from operational execution to flow directly into the improvement process. Employees can capture notes, deviations, or feedback directly in the work context.

    In Operations1, this information can be converted into tasks or follow-up activities, supporting continuous improvement in a structured and traceable way.

  • Are digital work instructions legally compliant and audit-proof?

    Digital work instructions can be implemented in a legally compliant and audit-proof manner if they are centrally versioned and managed transparently. In Operations1, version history and structured system logic ensure full traceability of changes, even across sites.

  • How can a work instruction be created with AI?

    Creating a work instruction with AI makes it possible to quickly transfer existing Word, Excel, or PDF documents into digital work instructions. The AI identifies content, structures work steps, and reduces manual transfer effort.

    In Operations1, existing work instructions are automatically digitized and embedded into a consistent system logic.

  • In which areas can digital work instructions be used?

    Electronic work instructions are used in areas where processes must be executed in a reproducible, traceable, and auditable way. These include manufacturing, assembly, manufacturing processes, setup and inspection workflows, maintenance, and quality-critical activities.

    In Operations1, these use cases can be covered through a unified system logic, regardless of whether they involve individual workstations, lines, or multiple plants. Variant logic and modular content also enable use in environments with high product or equipment diversity.

  • How do I integrate work instructions into my existing ERP system?

    Digital work instructions are embedded directly into existing ERP landscapes through system integrations, rather than being used in isolation. Operations1 provides integrations via APIs, webhooks, and standard connectors, including SAP, and enables the context-based bundling of work instructions as software for production instructions within the order context.

  • What are the benefits of software for digital work instructions?

    Software for digital work instructions offers structural and organizational benefits for creating, maintaining, and distributing work instructions. Content is created centrally, versioned, and managed as a single source of truth, making updates immediately effective and ensuring auditability.

    In Operations1, modular document logic significantly reduces maintenance effort, as identical content does not need to be edited multiple times. Variant logic and multilingual support enable scalable use even with high product diversity and across multiple sites.

    Through system integrations and analytics, the software becomes a platform for standardization, transparency, and continuous improvement, rather than just a display format for work instructions.

  • What functions does software for digital work instructions provide?

    Software for digital work instructions provides functions for the structured, visual, and audit-proof representation of operational tasks. Visual guidance with images and videos supports the safe execution of complex workflows, especially in manufacturing and assembly.

    Central versioning and updating ensure that changes take effect immediately and remain fully traceable. Integrated data capture through structured steps forms the basis for quality assurance and process stability.

    In Operations1, work instructions are also managed in multiple languages and integrated into ERP systems such as SAP via interfaces.

  • What are digital work instructions?

    Digital work instructions are electronic, centrally managed documents that describe operational tasks in clearly defined, executable steps. They combine text, images, videos, and process logic to guide employees safely through workflows.

    In Operations1, these work instructions are created, versioned, and used directly in the software as a single source of truth. Context-dependent logic ensures that only relevant content is displayed depending on the product, machine, or order.

  • What are the benefits of digital work instructions?

    Digital work instructions improve operational execution by clearly structuring processes and making them directly available on the shopfloor. Visual content, guided step sequences, and context-dependent logic reduce room for interpretation and increase execution quality in manufacturing and assembly.

    In Operations1, work instructions are created centrally, built modularly, and maintained with version control. Changes take effect immediately and do not need to be manually updated multiple times.

    In addition, usage and process data provide a reliable basis for continuous improvement, for example within lean management or continuous improvement initiatives.

  • What is the difference between an SOP and a work instruction?

    An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) describes a process on a general, rule- and policy-oriented level. A work instruction, in contrast, translates this process into concrete, step-by-step actions for a specific workplace in manufacturing or assembly.

    In Operations1, SOP content is transferred into digital work instructions that support employees in error-free execution through clear step sequences, images, videos, and decision logic. This turns an abstract standard into practical worker guidance.