Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) are essential in most, if not all, businesses. They will aid in hiring and onboarding new employees and then support & help them with their training. It decreases questions and increases productivity, consistency and efficiency, saving you time and money. It gives them guidelines for performing their job in alignment with the companies standards and regulations. SOP’s are a great time-saver; they diminish confusion and provide clear expectations.
BUT- How do you even write one?
Here are a few steps to get started on your own:
Step 1
Write out on a piece of paper the basic instructions for one of your processes.
For example- How to onboard a new client or instructions for the store opening.
Try to break it down into steps and keep the end goal or result in mind.
Knowing what you want to accomplish makes it much easier to develop an outline and break it down into details.
Step 2
Create a flowchart for an easy-to-follow visual of your written process.
Step 3
If you currently have employees doing these procedures, ask for their input. Since they are doing the job, they may have some helpful suggestions that increase comprehension or efficiency.
Step 4
Transfer the information you’ve collected and make it into a document adding additional instructions on completing the steps.
Step 5
If the reader doesn’t speak your native language, adding pictures that accompany each step can be beneficial. Also, if multiple employees review your SOP’s, clearly define who will be performing each role.
Step 6
Repeat steps 1-5 for all your other processes. Try them out yourself to ensure they are easy-to-follow and can be completed correctly.
Step 7
Once you have all your SOP’s in place, be sure to set regular intervals to review and revise.
Looking for a coach to help you through the process? I’d be happy to assist!
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