12 Mar
“We need to document our processes so everyone does things the same way.”
But the same way does not always equal the right way.
How do you go from “we need to document our processes” to having the right and most efficient processes for your business documented and followed by all?
Instead of spinning yourself in circles, here is the method we have used with hundreds of clients to improve, document and train their teams on process.
Why are we sharing this? Because we are passionate about reducing complexity so teams can do more of what matters most. If we can help them, great. If they can do it themselves, also great.
1. Document current state processes at a high level:
Pro tip: Mapping out the current state of every process before moving to improvement, allows you to be able to see cause and effect and the big picture of how everything fits together.
2. Identify and implement improvements:
Pro tip: Implement solutions in the order of the lifecycle your business runs on (for example: product, client, project, etc.). You may be surprised to find that some of the issues down the line get solved with solutions earlier on in the process.
3. Test and refine
Pro tip: Select a small group of employees who embrace change and who are critical thinkers to be part of the test and refine phase.
4. Document your new and improved processes
Pro tip: Less is more when it comes to documenting SOPs, unless it is a highly complex process or you are in a highly regulated industry. Always consider what is critical information and leave the rest.
5. Team rollout, training and reinforcement
Pro tip: Integrate process conversations wherever you can. People need to hear things MANY times to grasp them and us humans love reverting to our old ways.
Is this a simplified version of what it actually looks like? Of course! And there are a million more best practices that we couldn’t fit into a LinkedIn newsletter, so if you find yourself stuck on one of these steps – reach out and we can dive deeper!
Happy Process Improvement!
PS. Join myself and Lizabeth Wesely-Casella on Tuesday, March 25th at 11am MT for what is sure to be a fantastic roundtable discussion!
Link to register: https://l12services.com/reg-2025-03-25-cog-load/