The STEPS instrument is comprised of three different levels or "steps" of risk factor assessment: Step 1 (questionnaire), Step 2 (physical measures) and Step 3 (biochemical measures). Each step contains core items (unshaded boxes), which countries are strongly encouraged to include in the instrument adapted for their survey, as well as expanded items (shaded boxes), which countries may choose to include to gather more detail on a specific topic. Each question has standard response options and is assigned a standard code (e.g. T1) which facilitate data analysis using the provided STEPS data analysis and reporting tools. 

The Question-by-Question Guide (Q-by-Q) provides background information to the interviewers and supervisors as to what is intended by each of the questions or measures on the generic STEPS Instrument. Interviewers can use this information when participants request clarification about specific questions or they do not know the answer.