tech
SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)
Documented step-by-step process for a repeatable workflow.
Definition
An SOP is written instructions for how a specific task gets done - the exact steps, tools, decisions, and quality checks. Most service businesses have zero documented SOPs - everything lives in the founder's head, which caps the business at founder bandwidth. The discipline: document the 5 most-repeated workflows first (onboarding, proposal, invoicing, support escalation, hiring screen). Once written, test the SOP by having someone new follow it - the gaps reveal themselves immediately.
In your business
- →Start with the 5 most-repeated workflows
- →Write the SOP, then have someone new follow it - the gaps reveal themselves
- →Review and update quarterly based on real use