What'S op?

Colleagues,

Yesterday’s email, “You don’t know what you do know” resonated with many of you. Michelle Marr, the dedicated assistant principal at Smoky Mountain Elementary School reflected:
 
“Sometimes I am guilty of doing it all because I know how to do it and then when I am out it can’t get done because I’m not there to do it. I’m thinking of writing down a how-to manual for some of the tasks that I do so that if I’m absent someone else could easily fill in for me… As I’m doing a simple task today I think I will sketch out a simple how to complete it.”
 
Essentially, Michelle is talking about developing an SOP or Standard Operating Process. The top four advantages of having SOPs:

1. Increase quality of results
2. Decrease effort and save time
3. Increase number/role of people capable of completing the procedure
4. Facilitate building leadership capacity

 
I’ll outline the steps to creating an SOP below, but you can get a more in-depth guide on my website here.
 

1. Name the SOP
2. Identify the priorities. How will you know if it is successful?
3. Identify the trigger
4. Identify the desired end point (when is the procedure complete?)
5. Identify the first step
6. Map the A-B steps from the first one to the final outcome
7. Implement, monitor, and adjust

 

• Steps 1-5 should take a minimum amount of time. 
• The SOP doesn’t need to be great, just good enough to test. 
• Create a better procedure over time based on results

 
If you want to teach others how to do something easily and with fidelity, write an SOP.
 
Already have a great SOP? I’d love to see a copy. Sharing it with me would be a great way to show your appreciation! Just drop it into the email link here