Comments on: Developing Standard Operating Procedures

By: Janet Barclay

Janet Barclay — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:59:34 +0000

Denise, I think SOPs are even more important in a business where there is staff turnover (as opposed to owner-operator situations). I too have stepped into jobs where the previous employee has already left, and there were no written procedures in place, and it was quite a nightmare! Even when the person you’re replacing is still around to provide training, written procedures are very helpful when the trainer has a different communication style than the trainee, and as a reference once they have moved on.

By: Denise Fisher

Denise Fisher — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:57:21 +0000

Janet, I love creating systems for doing things (if only I had as much enthusiasm for maintaining them – that part doesn’t come as easy to me). I’ve recently taken on an opportunity to work with a successful new construction company (about 3 years up and running), and part of my tasking has been devising SOPs.

To create my SOP listing, I used a chart with 3 columns. The tasks are listed sequentially in the center column. On the left-side column, I list the documents and tracking applications that record the data for each specific task. On the right-side column, I list the person who has primary responsibility for the action (along with any one who has a supportive role, provides information or other resources to complete the task).

No one had previously documented the flow of work and how things got done. Putting things in writing helped identify gaps in the system and where procedures needed additions or revisions. It even revealed the need for an additional job position that is now being developed.

This is not just an exercise in maximizing efficiency. As we implement the processes (along with the documents and support people), we will be able to streamline the way we handle projects to the point that we can take on more and larger construction projects. But if you don’t have those SOPs in place, you won’t be able to grow beyond a small start-up.

By: Janet Barclay

Janet Barclay — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:37:38 +0000

Kristi, what made the biggest difference for me was realizing I didn’t have to start at specific point – all I needed was the outline and we can fill it in as we go along.

By: Kristi Pavlik

Kristi Pavlik — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:19:02 +0000

Thank you Janet for the great post. I am glad to see you are at least starting your systems process

If you ever need help with getting that mind map completed, just give me a holler. Would love to do a “brain dump” session with you.

It was great to get to meet you at FoVA.

By: Janet Barclay

Janet Barclay — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:50:31 +0000

For sure! I wish I’d started mine back when I started my business – so much less to document back then – but better late than never!

By: Melodee Patterson

Melodee Patterson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:51:42 +0000

Excellent advice, as always, Janet! I know from working in a molecular biology lab where SOPs were, well, SOP, that they are very important in showing others how to do a procedure correctly.

I guess I better start working on my own SOP then, huh?