Create Visual SOP Documents that Drive Process Optimization, Not Just Peace of Mind
Go beyond satisfying auditors to drive process improvement, consistent IT operations, and effective knowledge transfer.
- Writing SOPs is the last thing most people want to do, so the work gets pushed down the priority list and the documents become dated.
- Most organizations know it is good practice to have SOPs as it improves consistency, facilitates process improvement, and contributes to efficient operations.
- Though the benefits are understood, many organizations don't have SOPs and those that do don't maintain them.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- Create visual documents, not dense SOP manuals.
- Start with high-impact SOPs, and identify the most critical undocumented SOPs and address them first.
- Integrate SOP creation into project requirements and create SOP approval steps to ensure documentation is reviewed and completed in a timely fashion.
Impact and Result
- Create visual documents that can be scanned. Flowcharts, checklists, and diagrams are quicker to create, take less time to update, and are ultimately more usable than a dense manual.
- Use simple but effective document management practices.
- Make SOPs part of your project deliverables rather than an afterthought. That includes checking documentation status as part of your change management process.
Create Visual SOP Documents that Drive Process Optimization, Not Just Peace of Mind
Start here – read the Executive Brief
Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should create visual SOPs, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.
1. Prioritize, optimize, and document critical SOPs
Use flowcharts and checklists that are easy to absorb and maintain.
2. Establish a sustainable documentation process
Create a sustainable documentation process by creating guidelines for naming and documenting SOPs.
3. Identify a content management solution
Understand the options for content management solutions.
Member Testimonials
After each Info-Tech experience, we ask our members to quantify the real-time savings, monetary impact, and project improvements our research helped them achieve. See our top member experiences for this blueprint and what our clients have to say.
9.0/10
Overall Impact
$61,979
Average $ Saved
20
Average Days Saved
Client
Experience
Impact
$ Saved
Days Saved
SIG Information Technology GmbH
Guided Implementation
9/10
N/A
20
Port Of New Orleans
Guided Implementation
9/10
$61,979
20
Toll Brothers Inc
Guided Implementation
9/10
$1,229
16
Limestone District School Board
Guided Implementation
10/10
N/A
5
Onsite Workshop: Create Visual SOP Documents that Drive Process Optimization, Not Just Peace of Mind
Onsite workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost onsite delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.
Module 1: Prioritize, Optimize, and Document Critical SOPs
The Purpose
- Identify undocumented critical processes, and review the SOP mapping process.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Create usable SOP documentation and identify opportunities to improve those processes.
Activities
Outputs
Prioritize undocumented SOPs and review methodology.
- SOP shortlist
Review the visual approach to SOP planning.
Conduct a tabletop planning exercise.
- Mapped current state SOP
Conduct a gap analysis to identify solutions to issues discovered during SOP mapping.
- Future state SOP
- Projects/initiatives to address process gaps
Module 2: Establish a Sustainable SOP Documentation Process
The Purpose
- Review your documentation process and other SOPs to identify potential improvements.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Optimize your SOP documentation and maintenance processes.
- Assign action items to SMEs to improve the documentation process.
Activities
Outputs
Prioritize projects to address process gaps.
- SOP project roadmap
Define the process for documenting and maintaining SOPs.
- Document information block
- Document management checklist
- Mapped workflow for SOP creation and management
- Action items to improve SOP creation and management
Module 3: Decide on an Appropriate Content Management Solution for Your SOPs
The Purpose
- Review content management solutions.
- Plan and run an SOP working session.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Choose a content management solution that meets your needs.
- Put a dent in your documentation backlog.
Activities
Outputs
Run an SOP working session with SMEs.
- Multiple mapped SOPs
- SOP Project Roadmap
Review options for a content management strategy.
- Identify a content management strategy that fits your needs
About Info-Tech
Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s fastest-growing information technology research and advisory company, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals.
We produce unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. We partner closely with IT teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
What Is a Blueprint?
A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.
Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.
Need Extra Help?
Try Our Guided Implementations
Get the help you need in this 3-phase advisory process. You'll receive 8 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.
Guided Implementation #1 - Prioritize, optimize, and document critical SOPs
- Call #1 - Identify undocumented critical SOPs.
- Call #2 - Understand the benefits of a visual approach.
- Call #3 - Work through a tabletop exercise to document two visual SOP documents.
Guided Implementation #2 - Establish a sustainable documentation process
- Call #1 - Establish documentation information guidelines.
- Call #2 - Identify opportunities to create a culture that fosters SOP creation.
- Call #3 - Address outstanding undocumented SOPs by working through process issues together.
Guided Implementation #3 - Identify a content management solution
- Call #1 - Review the current approach to content management, and discuss possible alternatives.
- Call #2 - Evaluate options for a content management strategy, in the context of the environment.
Contributors
- Gary R. Patterson, Vice President – Technology, Quorum Resources, Inc.
- Thomas P. Uyehara, IT Director, IndependenceFirst
- Hoc Le, Technical Lead for Transportation Applications Group, Georgia-Pacific