Procedure lists: Are they really worth your time and energy to create?

October 30th, 2013

Is it really beneficial to work from a procedure list when you’re already an experienced, efficient and organized individual?

Today’s post is by Dennis Nicoletti; Manager at SafeSourcing.

What is a Procedure List?

When you write down ten things you want to get done today and cross them off at the end of the day when they are done, that’s not a procedures list, it’s just a simple but rewarding — “checklist”.

Let’s consider a mechanic’s job…when a mechanic goes through a list of 50 things to check and evaluate on your car (and every other car they’re going to service); they’re using a “procedure list”. A procedure list highlights the things you need to do in a routine process to ensure that everything is done and nothing gets neglected or outright forgotten. Consider the following when creating your procedure list:

•  Is this step necessary?  Why is this step included?
•  Is this step in the right place?  Should it come sooner or later in the procedure?
•  Is each step a concrete action that can be completed and checked off?
•  Are the steps clear enough that I could give this procedure list to another person without explanation?

The last bullet above is extremely crucial.  Let’s take for instance you’re deep into a project, something unforeseen develops taking you away from the project. Can a coworker step in and take over as if you were still there, with no drop-off in project timelines and milestones?  Consider this carefully when creating your procedure list.

Why should you use a Procedure List?

We all are very busy and likely to be even busier. Making mistakes and forgetting steps even in tasks we’ve been doing for years is not uncommon.  Procedural lists serve as concrete reminders of what tasks we need to perform, what order we need to perform them in, and as springboards for fine tuning or adjusting our routines, making them more efficient.

We, at SafeSourcing, take great pride in the fact that we continually use our procedure lists and consider them to be a “best practice” which has kept our projects on plan. This practice has rewarded our customers with savings they would not have otherwise attained and in the timeliest manner. For more information on how we can help you with your procurement needs or on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.  We have an entire customer services team waiting to assist you today.

We look forward to your comments.

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