Written procedures.
WHY IT MATTERS
Work held only in people's heads is inconsistent and leaves when they do.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT FIRST
Whatever is done most often Whatever goes wrong most Whatever only one person knows
WHY THAT LAST ONE
It is the largest risk.
WHAT A PROCEDURE SHOULD CONTAIN
What it achieves When it applies What is needed before starting The steps, in order What the result should look like What to do when something is wrong Who to ask
WHAT MAKES ONE USABLE
Short Specific Written for whoever performs it Accessible where the work happens
WHAT MAKES ONE USELESS
Length Abstraction Being stored somewhere nobody looks Describing what should happen rather than what does
WHY THAT LAST POINT
Aspirational procedures are ignored, and they undermine the rest.
WHO SHOULD WRITE IT
The person who does the work.
WHY
They know the reality, including the parts nobody else sees.
WHAT TO DO AFTERWARDS
Have someone else follow it, without help.
WHAT THAT REVEALS
Every assumption.
WHAT TO KEEP CURRENT
Procedures, whenever the work changes.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT OUT-OF-DATE PROCEDURES
Fix or remove them.
WHY
Wrong instructions are worse than none.
