ClearSpec

Reviewed 18 August 2026 · next review 17 February 2027

Instruction clarity checker

Five checks catch most of the steps a technician can complete in the wrong order, on the wrong part, or only halfway.

Last updated · Written and reviewed by Jonatan Tensetti · Tensetti Tools

One step, one action

A step with two verbs is two steps. Under time pressure a reader completes the first action, marks the step done and never performs the second. The check counts instruction verbs at the start of a step or after and, then or or.

3. Remove the cover and clean the filter and check the seal.
  • CS_MULTI_ACTION_STEP — This step contains 3 instruction verbs (Remove, clean, check). Give each action its own numbered step.

Possible false positive: Two actions that must happen simultaneously may legitimately share a step.

Name the actor

An obligation with no subject leaves nobody responsible. This matters most in safety content, where the check is raised to high severity for safety documents.

It must be verified that the isolator is locked before the work starts.
  • CS_MISSING_ACTOR — The obligation 'must' does not say who has to act. Name the responsible role at the start of the sentence.
  • CS_PASSIVE_ACTION — The action is written in the passive voice and no actor is named. Name the actor and use an active instruction, for example 'The technician closes the valve.'

Possible false positive: The responsible role can be fixed by the document scope.

Replace unmeasurable manner words

Carefully, properly and correctly cannot be performed, taught or verified. State the observable criterion instead: a torque value, a sequence or an end state.

Tighten the bolts carefully and make sure the cover is fitted properly.
  • CS_ADVERB_AMBIGUITY — 'carefully' describes a manner that cannot be measured. State the observable criterion, such as a torque value, a sequence or an end state.
  • CS_ADVERB_AMBIGUITY — 'properly' describes a manner that cannot be measured. State the observable criterion, such as a torque value, a sequence or an end state.

Possible false positive: The adverb may reinforce a criterion that is stated elsewhere in the step.

Say whether the step is mandatory

The operator should isolate the supply before service.
  • CS_WEAK_MODAL — 'should' does not state whether the step is mandatory or optional. Use 'must' for an obligation, or make the optional nature explicit.

Possible false positive: Genuinely optional advice should use a permissive word.

The checks used on this page

  • Several actions in one step (CS_MULTI_ACTION_STEP) — One numbered or bulleted step contains more than one instruction verb. False positive: Two actions that must happen simultaneously may legitimately share a step.
  • Requirement without an actor (CS_MISSING_ACTOR) — An obligation is stated without saying who must act. False positive: The responsible role can be fixed by the document scope.
  • Unmeasurable manner adverb (CS_ADVERB_AMBIGUITY) — A manner adverb such as carefully or properly describes the action. False positive: The adverb may reinforce a criterion that is stated elsewhere in the step.
  • Weak obligation word (CS_WEAK_MODAL) — The requirement uses should, may or could rather than a definite obligation word. False positive: Genuinely optional advice should use a permissive word.
  • Unclear pronoun reference (CS_VAGUE_PRONOUN) — A pronoun follows two or more candidate nouns, so its referent is ambiguous. False positive: The referent can be obvious from a diagram, caption or immediate context.
Check your own procedure

22 checks, no account, and the text is analysed in your browser.

Questions

What makes a step unclear?
Usually one of four things: more than one action in a step, no named actor, a manner word such as carefully that cannot be verified, or should where must was meant.
Does the tool rewrite my steps?
No. It reports the span, the reason and one editing action. You decide the wording, and a competent person must approve safety wording.
Do I need an account to test a procedure?
No. Paste up to 1,000 words in the free checker; the analysis runs in your browser.

References

Checked 18 August 2026. Referenced for context only; no standard text or dictionary content is reproduced.

ClearSpec reports automated heuristics from method version 1.0.0. The clarity indicator is not a measure of technical accuracy, usability, legal sufficiency, safety or standards conformance. A competent person must decide the final wording, especially for safety content.