Turn Daily Activities Into Scalable SOPs

Hey Founder,

Let’s talk about creating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

I know. It sounds dull, but hear me out—it’s essential.

Think about this:

You’re building something bigger than yourself.

Whether it’s scaling your team, outsourcing tasks, or just staying consistent, an SOP is like your instruction manual.

It keeps the machine running even when you’re not there to oversee it.

So, what makes a good SOP? Here’s what you need to do:

1. Start with the End in Mind

Before writing anything, get clear on why you need the SOP.

Is it for training new hires? Ensuring consistency? Saving time?

Knowing this will shape everything that follows.

2. Break It Down Like a Recipe

Imagine you’re writing instructions for a dish.

Step-by-step, detailed but not overwhelming.

What’s the first thing someone needs to do?

And what do they do after that? Every little step matters.

3. Make It Visual (When Possible)

Screenshots, videos, or diagrams can save a thousand words.

Sometimes seeing is understanding.

So don’t hesitate to add a quick Loom video to clarify a point.

4. Test It Out

Once you’ve got it all written, test it.

Hand it to someone unfamiliar with the process and see if they can follow it without asking questions.

If they get stuck, revise it.

5. Keep It Simple and Scalable

The simpler, the better.

Avoid jargon and keep things easy to understand.

Also, think about whether this SOP will still work if your business doubles, triples, or more.

Build with growth in mind.

6. Review and Update Regularly

Things change.

Your business evolves.

Your SOPs should too.

Make it a habit to review them regularly—maybe every quarter.

Done right, an SOP is a game-changer.

It frees you up to focus on the big stuff and helps your team move faster without you holding their hand.

Start small.

Create one for a single process.

See how it works and go from there.