7 Steps to Write Standard Operating Procedures that ACTUALLY Work

[@LaylaPomper]

📌 *I've built a free course* that gives you both the SOP template I use in this video AND a primer on how to use SOPs to actually delegate. It's called Task Plunger, and here's how you can get it for free: 1. Go to processdriven.co/task-plunger/? 2. Within 5 minutes, you'll *receive an email with the subject line confirm your email.* In that email, click the big ol' "Start Course" button to confirm your email and get started. (Check your Spam if you don't see it because if you do not give your consent in that email we cannot email you anything, including the template! ) 3. You'll immediately receive the Google Doc template I use in this video. Afterward, you'll get added to the * free 5-day course* that shows you how to use that SOP template to delegate tasks because, otherwise, what's the point of the template? 🔥 I noticed a few folks in the comments have had trouble using this course. If that's you, please check that you've confirmed your email. We've seen 300+ folks go through this course successfully but I can see dozens of folks who are stuck as "unconfirmed" that we're unable to send the resources to because they haven't confirmed their email. If you need help just reach out to my team processdriven.co/contact so we can fix it for you!

[@billygilbert7911]

Yo Layla, I'm a Water Treatment plant operator and the SOP's I've created are the worst. Primarily because I don't know how to write them but most importantly some of our instrument calibration processes have dozens of steps. When you mentioned focusing on mini goals my mind exploded. You made me rethink the way I can explain highly complicated processes. Having the mindset now to envision mini goals that apply to multiple processes. Nice work, and Thank you.

[@LaylaPomper]

I’m so glad to hear that Billy!

[@Herodragon9]

Donut stop making these videos. They are awesome!

[@LaylaPomper]

🤣 best comment yet

[@JeanPaulB]

As a programmer, I can tell you this is the very basics of programming any algorithm neatly explained.

[@KyleJones_TN]

I love that your suggestions are based on your actual experience and not just, “I think this sounds good.” Thanks for sharing!

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks for watching!

[@jonahpollone]

Layla, you are incredibly helpful. You have a knack for finding the exact thing that causes confusion/stress and explaining the solution in simple terms. Thank you!

[@LaylaPomper]

That’s so kind! I’m glad the process is clear. It’s my mission to make these concepts simple. 🫡

[@washingtonalmeida75]

I know this subject might not be everyone's cup of tea but this is by far the best on this category. Well done, Layla!

[@cspmg]

Fantastic tip about feeding the transcript into an LLM with SOP formatting. I hadn’t even thought about that use case. Subbed!

[@washingtonrodriguezs6101]

Straight, clear and precise Thank you

[@quentinlemeur8921]

BEST VIDEO OUT THERE. This was so helpful, big thanks to you

[@LaylaPomper]

Aw, thanks!!

[@sba995]

Merci beaucoup pour vos contenus que je trouve très clairs et facilement accessibles et appropriables pour des soloentrepreneurs. Merci de France !

[@roberttmorgan]

Excellent coverage, thank you +1 on "make each step an outcome"

[@13Alrak]

Very helpfull videos, thank you for the time and experience! Also thanks for focusing on smaller teams and pointing out the mistakes we often do (completely unaware),

[@gabrielmarquez]

I love your personality and the content you create!

[@karlitozwei]

Such a great video! Clear, well thought out and ordered. New subscriber! Thanks for posting!

[@LaylaPomper]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Layla-yr5ef]

This is valuable information. Just what I needed. Thank you. Just subscribed.

[@Christian-ql4vw]

Love the transcript to AI SOP pro-tip !!!

[@erichepperlewp]

Donut. Loving your style Layla! Just stumbled on your stuff and am digging it. I'm trying to write a good Website Deployment SOP.

[@seancollins6564]

Excellent content and advice! Thanks!

[@juttakoulen9791]

Hi Layla. That is the perfect instruction for my approach to introducing SOP-ing to small businesses. I am also a big fan of process mapping, which allows everyone in a team or a company to locate the process at hand and see where it contributes to the overall business development and growth journey (which stands for job security, among other things). Yet, there is one question you may have heard many times before: I do not see "decisions" being represented in your SOP example. Would that be something that shall be solved by having two different SOPs used depending on the decision? For instance, if the customer feedback is negative (needs immediate action - adding it to the idea backlog is insufficient), continue with SOP XYZ ; otherwise, continue with the next step. Does that make sense to you? Thanks again for your great suggestions and step-by-step explanation.

[@willjeffords]

This is incredibly practical and useful. Kiitos!

[@LaylaPomper]

Glad you think so!

[@mikevillarreal8291]

Ma'am, this was an instant sub!!! thank you for sharing!!

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks for subbing!

[@SeanPoulter]

Same. Donut. Thanks for sharing Layla!

[@yutubl]

Thanks for this introduction! I'd like point to advanced possibilities of SOP usage with SOP combinations taking the simple 8 pages SOP to solve complex problems with meta/super aggregated SOPs including calls to sub SOPs, distributed synchronized SOP execution). PS: I once wrote kind of SOP a) Software Testing Documentation covering step-by-step procedural descriptions and b) detailed reproducable step-by-step problem/bug reports as part of issue tracking database system entries (JIRA etc.) after programming a graphical module offering user block diagram oriented configuration user interface (Visual programming alike GUI) instead of text mode parameter masks for same purpose (In-Processing-Output - conditional Task-Trigger & -Timing for data acquisition (also hardware driver software).

[@christopherwilson6527]

Talk and collaborate with the people you want to use the SOP. Don't automatically think your understanding is what actually happens in the real world. There's always a reason its not followed or a better and more efficient way of doing things. Most SOP’s are made by office people that never go near the task in the first place

[@alvaromoe]

This should be pinned on top.

[@GreenAppelPie]

Amen. This. First step.

[@markp.armenta1020]

Watch her other videos about SOPs. You will see what you're asking.

[@kylemichaelsullivan]

As always, great content! ❤

[@juliancardarelli2078]

This is the channel I need, wow

[@thegroundwaterguy]

So basically, if you take your compact modular SOPs, you can attach them to process flow diagrams for each step that requires an SOP and then the process flow diagram can vary depending on the actual goal of the process. The different processes may be similar but incorporate different steps depending on the outcome you wish to accomplish. The modular SOPs are then inserted in the process flow where they are relevant. At least that is how I understand how the SOPs are to be used.

[@nellermann]

Can you give us a video about how to write Work Instructions ('WI's) and how they differ from Standard Operating Procedures ('SOP's)? I am in a technical IT field, our SOPs are very generalized but do not tell the reader how to actually do a specific task. Often a SOP may require the use of many multiple WIs to complete the procedure.

[@amdenis]

Donut - gotta love them!

[@disklamer]

I've used an RFC type system in a database for as long as I can remember. Every document is by definition in progress, deployed in its current reviewed incarnation. The last person to touch/edit the RFC is automatically the reference contact.

[@LaylaPomper]

You’re ahead of the curve!!

[@disklamer]

@@LaylaPomper It's only a 40 year old system haha

[@meierthomas]

Even though I looked at various of your great videos the answer to a seemingly simple question is still not addressed. How to add/embed pictures, images, screenshot. Especially as it comes to SOPs etc. a screenshot is very useful. Is it possible to directly embed pictures (ideally from the clipboard) into a doc?

[@LaylaPomper]

Yup, you can copy and paste images into most document tools!

[@meierthomas]

Sorry found the answer. I can paste any images from the clip board. What I was trying to do is to copy content from the whiteboard in ClickUp which doesn't work. All good now :)

[@thomasschwebach1080]

Donut😄 Thanks for this great and helpful Video!

[@joar1319]

Hi Layla, thank you for your insights on SOPs. What do you suggest on including screenshots for SOPs describing a software driven process without creating that 35+ monster😅. Thank you.

[@lpanebr]

Awesome content. Thanks!

[@HybridlifeOrg]

Like it, crystal clear.

[@KenMac-ui2vb]

Did you not get that memo on TPS Reports?

[@LaylaPomper]

😜

[@JARatelle]

Donut. Absolutely excellent video - thank you.

[@LaylaPomper]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@avg_ape]

Hi. I received the SOP template in exchange for my email address. The only content I received via email was more sales funnel content such as checklist. I would still like the SOP template. Maybe I missed it. Can you help?

[@RitaSlanina]

same thing happened to me as well... MULTIPLE email sign ups funnels; but never received the free google doc SOP template.

[@avg_ape]

@@RitaSlanina Yes, it's disappointing.

[@jabak1450]

There should be a sop for that.

[@LaylaPomper]

Hi @avg_ape. I've built a free course that gives you both the SOP template I use in this video AND a primer on how to use SOPs to actually delegate. It's called Task Plunger. As long as you've confirmed your email, you should have received the SOP template.

[@RitaSlanina]

@@LaylaPomper awesome Layla! Thank you, I'll look for it! *hugs*

[@GreenAppelPie]

First time I’ve seen this channel. A good SOP starts with interviewing employees and management. Learn the ins and out first.

[@CrapE_DM]

I would definitely label Inputs as Requirements instead. I'm even a computer programmer,and I think that's more understandable

[@JustinJ.]

What would be the difference between SOP's, runbooks, playbooks and user guides?

[@LaylaPomper]

Depending on the company, they can all mean the same thing! There’s not a set definition that’s consistent across the board that I’ve seen. 🤪

[@JustinJ.]

@@LaylaPomper Haha exactly why I asked, everywhere i've worked has had some or other form of the above and it can be confusing, thanks for a great video

[@toddjasper1]

A playbook or runbook is usually upstream from a specific SOP-a playbook might include decision support criteria for determine which SOP to execute.

[@codyallen1971]

Dropping in 2 cents: "Standing" Operating Procedures is the ever-misstated origin ("correct," "actual," "proper") title for a S.O.P. Naturally, the lexicon of every language is a fluid, evolving body of words, and the name of this procedure manual has been mistakenly spoken incorrectly for decades (certainly long enough that a case can be made to validate the "Standard" term substitution as acceptable now). But it's also useful to be aware of the original term, so one is using the substituted term as a deliberate choice instead of in error. "Standard" Operating Procedures implies that there are "Non-Standardc" Procedures; which would be the opposite of the manual's intention. Wheras a manual titled "Standing Operating Procedures" states that these are the procedures that are established and in-place. It's akin to the way "meme" has been adopted to describe any photo spread on social media with an amusing caption or observation, when the original definition describes an much more specific instance of a collective, societal phenomenon. That went way too wordy for a comment.

[@LaylaPomper]

😂

[@norbertomoreno5461]

Donut.!! But I did see your other videos on the topic

[@Adam.3313]

You are amazing. :)

[@graphicgato]

🍩 and thank you!!

[@LaylaPomper]

You are so welcome!

[@simpleanalyst5563]

Nummy nummy DONUT! Chocolate with sprinkles pretty pleaze!

[@davidlafontant2973]

Donut. Awesome video🍩🍩🍩

[@charlesyoungblood9414]

Syntax error; > 'Donut' is already allocated as 'Safe Word'

[@dieagain6171]

It’s time to make the donuts! 🍩

[@LaylaPomper]

Bakers dozen?

[@dieagain6171]

@@LaylaPomper please! Thanks for all the great content!

[@oleksandrkovalov4301]

Loom is generating SOPs without Chatgpt

[@dgloiselle]

Doughnut. Because I'm Canadian Eh!

[@RaidenHusky]

DONUT 🎉💚

[@pjungbluth]

I also like a Donut!

[@Amplify-AI]

These written SOP instructions are great! Not only do they accelerate the onboarding and time to proficiency for new team members. Going one step further….SOPs enable digitisation of tasks. For example, these SOPs can be codified as the instructions for autonomous AI agents performing routine tasks. Inevitably, teams will shift from writing SOPs for their human colleagues to writing SOPs for their AI colleagues and checking the quality of their AI colleagues.

[@JohnMatthew1]

"I just lost all of gen-z there..." - CLASSIC. Don't mention Thomas Guides, then you'll lose 90% of them.

[@nathaliayamakawa3776]

Donut from Brazil

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks for voting!! 🍩

[@DavidCook-ke6cu]

Donuts!!!😋

[@ThomasTomchak]

We share a brain! You had me at donut.

[@wedoebe]

Donuts!!!!😋😝🤓

[@LaylaPomper]

😃 thanks for voting!

[@oatlylatte9]

its very surprising that writing SOPs is similar to writing code

[@LaylaPomper]

It makes sense!

[@asedfsdfsdf0y74308gh]

Doughnut 🍩 please

[@danielgilleland8611]

I would like a DONUT!

[@dufnex]

@4:50 Did you really mean "at least 100 words a minute?" Expecting people to type at competition level speeds is bonkers.

[@perrytilton5221]

While, yes, SOPs are necessary, they aren't always simple.

[@Pertence75]

You are talking about work instructions not sops...

[@LaylaPomper]

Yes and no! This approach falls somewhere between. It’s more detailed than traditional SOPs and way less detailed than what would be acceptable for traditional work instructions. Rather than laboring on the nuances, this video is intentionally kept simply to be practical for the small business users this video is made for. 👍

[@gregspear]

That link to the Google docs sop template takes me instead to a request for my email, confirmation, but then no link to the document. What’s up?

[@tidytheclutter-podcast]

It comes through as an email. 😊

[@gregspear]

Got it, thanks!

[@LaylaPomper]

Glad it’s all working now!

[@mariahanshaw8997]

🍩 Donut with glaze...😂

[@LaylaPomper]

Glazed donut it is! 😂

[@melusine826]

My understanding is that SOP is NOT the same as a work instruction (step by step)

[@LaylaPomper]

Interesting, tell me more?

[@v23452]

@@LaylaPomperSOP focuses on what you want to do. Working instruction focuses on how you want to do it with particular resources you have (e.g., technology).

[@joewiard8006]

@@v23452My understanding is Standard Operating Procedures are step by step standards for a procedure for your organization. Working Instructions sounds like a generic term. I’ve never heard it before.

[@Alan_Chapman]

A primary definition of procedure is a series of steps. I have never seen the phrase “work instruction” used in any context anywhere I’ve worked before. I think you’re confusing SOP with policies which yes, focus on what and why.

[@mr.t0xic100]

⁠@@Alan_Chapmanexactly. There are processes/procedures and there are policies. My company usually just call them standards to keep them separated more easily. Processes/procedures are how to do something. Whether you get into the nitty gritty of differences between SOPs and processes… thats up to you Standards are to what quality are we doing something

[@valentinovasquez2127]

Donut give us up! Donut let us down! Donut turn around and desert us!

[@LaylaPomper]

🤣🤣🤣

[@CoventryParlor]

Krispy Kreme!!!! Donut

[@helmutalexanderriegg1673]

I ❤ Donuts

[@GordonJohansen]

Donuts have too many calories. I'll go with "Timbit" (which only Canadians will probably understand)

[@LaylaPomper]

☺️ okay now I’ve got to look that up…

[@CapsLock33]

donut please

[@gthorondor]

donuts :D

[@washingtonrodriguezs6101]

Doughnut

[@generationalcursebreaker]

🍩 DONUT!

[@balonm]

Pączek 🍩

[@LaylaPomper]

😁

[@sjnyc2229]

Donut please!

[@kojibu]

Donut!!

[@Larry7lee]

Doughnut

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks for voting Larry!

[@rgp2206]

DO-NUTS!!! Do not's!

[@LaylaPomper]

🤣

[@bobbj9440]

☕️🍩

[@vicradon]

I thought this was for grad school 😢

[@LaylaPomper]

Sorry, different SOP. 😅

[@jeffreychan8239]

Donut Donut Donut Donut Donut Donut

[@cindirenee]

DONUT!

[@GBEZ]

DONUT!

[@johnrisko5904]

Donut!

[@shadowmn]

Donut!

[@MathelleRicciAbragan]

Donut donut donut donut

[@LaylaPomper]

🤣 Thanks for voting!!!

[@scign]

Did somebody say donut??

[@rayraman3243]

Yummy Donuts :-)

[@Duurzaamheid]

Donuts 😏

[@nikkihstokes]

Donut 😁

[@AlGonzo]

'donut'

[@ShawnSteiner21]

Donut

[@LaylaPomper]

Thanks for voting Shawn!

[@sundiva7642]

donuts

[@brian-c-dean]

October 11 2024 - donut

[@davidmuse6578]

Jelly Donut

[@ceanehalexis7894]

donut!!

[@JayJohnson-ec8lw]

Donut 🍩 lol