PetroStreet

What are the modern ways of managing O&M procedures?
Do we move to checklist based procedures assisting the applicators in correcting applying all the controls?
Share some other ways too to help putting them all in place & ensure their correct understanding and application.

Paper procedures (if you are still maintaining) are dying already. Modern plants use Tablets / mobile apps or Workflow-based execution systems.
Examples are IBM Maximo & SAP Plant Maintenance.
It matters as it forces step completion before moving forward and captures real-time data (pressure, temp, readings).
It also enables traceability (who did what, when).
Now the big upgrade is to add mandatory fields, dropdowns, photos, embed P&IDs, drawings, videos inside the procedure being viewed in system.

I would say that the way to go in today's World is:
1. Checklist
2. Digital workflow
3. Human factors design
4. Critical control verification
5. Training + feedback loop

I confirm that from 2023, we have been converting all our procedures in the form of checklists.
Major maintenance procedure I have seen them getting converted with better conformance as every checklist is signed by the executor and reviewing authorities.
Needless to say for inspection & quality related where workflow itself is established through system support. Following that itself is following the procedure.
But in no case, every procedure, and manual should be converted to a checklist means procedure /standard should be there not replaced but enhanced through workflow based or checklist based management.

Management of operating & maintenance procedures is of the key process safety management indicator, just to start with.
Typically, all procedures are required to be reviewed, and updated every 3 years, controlled by ISO.
Now coming to your query of modernizng them, sites have already been making sure that they are translated well into the digital systems. Take the case of incident management system. Most of the industries have developed their own incident management system which drives the whole process starting from the reporting of the incident, reviewing, and taking a decision if that is required to be investigated. Investigation with all team formation, members is done within with the generated actions captured. So, application of incident management system itself has been translated to a system which is capable enough to ensure that all procedural compliances are met with the help of the workflow, review, and approvals.
However, a root procedure is still needed when someone needs to refer that what should be the qualification / competency of incident investigation team leader.