Photo Credit: UX Indonesia; Unsplash
When you hear the phrase, standard operating procedures (SOPs) do your eyes light up and does a satisfying smile start to emerge?
Or, do your palms start getting sweaty and the excuses start lining up in your head ready to launch out at the next poor soul who mentions that you need them.
Well, if your answer is the latter there is a good chance that you are process resistant.
But that begs the question, Why?
Well, this is not a comprehensive list but here are seven reasons.
Some of these 7 reasons are understandable but others are not. So, let's establish why we need SOPs.
Full disclosure, I like SOPs and the development process.
I know that sounds weird to you, it even sounds weird to me as I write this, but let me explain.
The reason I like SOPs is not just because I enjoy the physical process. I like them because of the outcomes they produce.
Like...
Now, doesn't that sound better!
The bottom line is, if you don't have well documented SOPs and someone who knows that a process is not being completed then your process and production will stop!
Even worse, if someone quits or passes away then their knowledge goes with them along with a lot of time, energy and money.
Then, you and your team are forced to work long hours figuring this process out along with all the regular duties that can't stop either.
This could cause a chain reaction of several things:
So, you have to ask yourself...
"Is saving time now, not creating SOPs with your team, worth the risk of losing a lot of money or the future of your company later?"
In my opinion, it's not!
In fact, I would even go as far to say that if you are not willing to ensure the stability of your company's future with SOPs, you are being negligent and irresponsible.
It's not leading, it's hoping.
Sorry for the rant but this is important.
On a positive note...
If your company truly wants to grow then it's a great way you can ensure that everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing, when they are supposed to do it and how they are supposed to do it.
This will bring confidence and ownership to everyone across the company that will produce great synergy, results and help everyone "win" together!
Hopefully, now you see the value in SOPs.
Ok, here is the good news about creating SOPs.
You can create them, get all the benefits that I've already mentioned AND you don't have to create a massive document that is terribly time consuming to write and read.
The goal of SOPs is to make our lives easier and more efficient NOT make them harder and more complex.
SOPs should be:
Tip: Use technology to keep SOPs accessible and editable.
Of course some SOPs will be very complex due to the size of the company and the amount of steps.
However, you can get creative to make them easier to create and digest.
Your team needs to determine what style works best for them.
In addition, they should all be in agreement with the steps or else they WILL NOT be followed and valuable time WILL BE wasted.
Ok, so you are probably wondering where you should start.
Great question, I'm glad you asked.
First, ensure everyone understands why this needs to happen and who needs to be involved and who should be responsible.
Second, provide time and resources to help your teams create great processes that will get great results.
Now, follow these steps to create effective SOPs:
Once this process gets going then it will become part of your culture.
You will get better at it and your company will be stronger for it.
Enjoy the Process!