Avoid mistakes with your SOPs!

SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) help everyone in a business.

They help to clarify your own thoughts, if you are writing them.

They help others to understand the expectations, safe effective methods and what has been agreed previously.

For new starters, they help to speed up the training process.

So, why don't so many people embrace this tool?

I'd love to know the answer, but if you find yourself in this situation let me give you a few pointers.

Capture the information any way you see fit. If you have an existing format that works, use it, otherwise make sure you capture the information in a way that makes sense to you.
Make the information is understandable. Photos and images are great.
Ensure the information is accessible. Get them off your desktop and into the hands of those using the information.
Embrace the feedback. If the readers are confused, simplify the material.

I heard the other day that a big mistake in a company I know has happened again. Guess what? The first time they solved the problem they didn't write it down. Don't let this happen to you too.

Available from Amazon

Don't rely on people's memories!

Create your SOP, however rough, just don't lose the knowledge from your business!

Giles

About the author:

Giles Johnston is a Chartered Engineer who specialises in helping businesses to grow and improve through better business processes and embracing Kaizen.

Giles is also the author of Effective Root Cause Analysis and 'What Does Good Look Like?'.

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