Quick Tools Writing a Procedure Making sure things are done without mistakes and omissions Procedures -- and their close cousins, policies -- can be the curse of our existence. Sometimes they're too tight and restrictive, and other times they're non-specific and loose. Would you want to go through a complicated procedure just to get an extra pen or pad of paper? Of course not. That should be quick and easy. On the other hand, if your colleague calls in sick, and you're suddenly responsible for getting the payroll out on time, would you want a well-written, detailed procedure to help guide you? If done right, procedures can have an important effect on an organization. When written clearly and properly, they can help systems and people function better. If your people know what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and how not to get it wrong, you can reduce frustration and save a tremendous amount of time and effort. This is where procedures can help. A good procedure is accurate, brief, and readable. But these qualities aren't always easy to achieve. Sometimes people do too much, and they end up with a lengthy procedure book that others tend to ignore. The good news is that with some knowledge and practice, you can learn these procedure-writing skills. and identify great opportunities to improve the quality of the things you do. What is a Procedure? Procedures are the workhorses of a company. While policies guide the way people make