Write a guide someone can use
Turn a repeatable task into instructions a colleague can follow. This fictional Northstar Services example uses preparing a meeting agenda: the reader should finish with a clear decision, the needed context and a place to record actions.
Before you begin
Check the scope
- Who is this for?
- When should it be used?
Check the prerequisites
- What access is needed?
- Which approved resources apply?
Build the instructions
-
1
Start from the real task
Observe the current process and note the important decisions. -
2
Write one action at a time
Use the words and labels the reader will see. -
3
Describe the result
Tell the reader how to know each important step worked. -
4
Try it with someone new
Watch where they hesitate and improve those instructions.
Make an instruction concrete
| Vague instruction | Useful version |
|---|---|
| Prepare for the meeting | Write the decision the group needs to make at the top of the agenda. |
| Add some context | Link the current brief and note the question it does not yet answer. |
| Follow up afterward | Record each agreed action with its owner in the meeting notes. |
Keep the guide dependable
How do I know the instructions are current?
Name an owner and record a real review date after checking the process.
Should the guide contain a policy?
Link to the approved source of policy. Explain the task without creating a competing policy copy.