Use when updating, versioning, deprecating, or maintaining existing Standard Operating Procedures. Covers keeping SOPs accurate, relevant, and synchronized with implementation changes.
View on GitHubFebruary 5, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/TheBushidoCollective/han/blob/main/plugins/services/agent-sop/skills/sop-maintenance/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill sop-maintenanceInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/sop-maintenance/# SOP Maintenance SOPs require ongoing maintenance to remain accurate and useful. This skill covers strategies for keeping SOPs current, managing versions, and ensuring SOPs evolve with your systems. ## Key Concepts ### SOP Lifecycle 1. **Creation**: Initial SOP development 2. **Active Use**: SOP is being executed regularly 3. **Update**: Modifications to reflect changes 4. **Deprecation**: SOP is outdated but referenced 5. **Archive/Removal**: SOP is no longer needed ### Why SOPs Become Outdated - **Technology Changes**: Tools, frameworks, or languages updated - **Process Evolution**: Workflows improve or change - **Environment Changes**: Infrastructure or deployment changes - **Discovery**: Better approaches found through experience - **External Dependencies**: Third-party services change APIs ## Best Practices ### Version Control for SOPs Treat SOPs as code: ```bash # Store SOPs in git repository my-sops/ ├── .git/ ├── deployment/ │ ├── deploy-web-app.sop.md │ └── rollback-deployment.sop.md ├── development/ │ ├── code-review.sop.md │ └── feature-implementation.sop.md └── README.md ``` **Commit Messages:** ```bash git commit -m "feat(deployment): add health check step to deploy-web-app.sop" git commit -m "fix(code-review): correct security checklist items" git commit -m "docs(development): update feature-implementation with new test framework" ``` ### SOP Versioning Include version information in SOP metadata: ```markdown # Deploy Application to Production **Version**: 2.1.0 **Last Updated**: 2025-12-05 **Author**: DevOps Team **Status**: Active ## Changelog ### v2.1.0 (2025-12-05) - Added automated rollback triggers - Updated health check thresholds ### v2.0.0 (2025-11-15) - Migrated to Kubernetes from Docker Swarm - Added canary deployment steps ### v1.0.0 (2025-09-01) - Initial deployment SOP ``` ### Keeping SOPs Current **Regular Review Schedule:** ```markdown ## SOP Maintenance Schedule - **Monthly**: Review frequently-used SOP