Articles written by

Micah Johnson

25 Tips for Writing Great Process Docs

Implement these tips within your SOPs, how-tos, and process docs to improve adoption.

Subtractive Writing Process Docs

Creating Streamlined and Effective Process Documentation using the Art of Subtractive Writing

Get Feedback on your Process Docs

Amplifying Improvement: The Power of Embedded Feedback Forms in Process Documentation

Document Before Departure

The Knowledge Void: The Consequences of Neglecting Process Documentation in Employee Departures

Reusable Process Doc Sections

Achieving Efficiency and Consistency: Harnessing the Power of Reusable Sections in Process Documentation

Knowledge Nuggets in Process Docs

Breaking Down Process Docs for Enhanced Understanding

Iterate and Focus

Don’t Create All Process Docs at Once

Limit Access to SOPs, Process Docs, and Quick Reference Materials

Providing unrestricted access to these resources can lead to information overload and hinder productivity.

Captivating Process Documents Unlock Efficiency

Passively reading procedures doesn’t translate to comprehension.

Create Quick Reference Materials

Make it easy for your team to get answers in seconds.

Process Docs Need to be Professional

If you want them taken seriously, ensure internal and external SOPs are always on brand.

Create a Source of Truth for your Process Docs

As soon as you have multiple versions, your process docs are already set up for failure.

Empower your team to create great process docs

Use a tool that makes it possible for anyone to document their processes.

Make process docs available where the work is getting done

Use QR Codes, embedding, and links.

Make process docs easy to view on all devices

The fewer steps to view your docs, the better your adoption will be.

Best-in-class tools for creating assets in SOPs and Process Docs

The list of our favorite tools we use in nearly every process doc.

Create Winning Process Docs: Use Existing Assets

Don’t waste time rewriting or recreating assets just to get them into a new documentation platform.

Create Winning Process Docs: Make Them Easy to Find

Spoiler Alert: Folder systems are not great for storing your process docs.

Create Winning Process Docs: Make Them Skimmable

Use big headers, clear fonts, complementary colors, and whitespace to make your process docs easy to read.

Create Winning Process Docs: Stop Bottlenecking

The people doing the job should be drafting the process docs.

Create Winning Process Docs: Use Templates

Make it easy for anyone to create process docs without forcing them to reinvent the wheel.

Create Winning Process Docs: Establish an “Ask the Knowledge Base First” Policy

Train your team to search a knowledge base or SOP library before interrupting a co-worker.

Create Winning Process Docs: Prioritize Your Docs

Pick 1–3 process docs to start with. Build and share them as quickly as possible.

Create Winning Process Docs: Start with the Minimal

Add only answers to current questions, don’t predict the questions that haven’t yet been asked.

Create Winning Process Docs: Make Them Visual

Use colors, videos, annotated images, and embeds in your process docs to help your team learn faster.

Create Winning Process Docs: Keep Things Simple

Use as few words as possible to show, not tell, how to run your business processes.