How to Write Policies & Procedures, Part 1: #HandbookGoals

We know commitments are hard, especially when it comes to rewriting company policies and procedures. Before you say “I do” to such a significant undertaking, take a look at our awesome, almost 30-page How to Write Policies and Procedures guide. Believe it or not, it used to be longer! Since we don’t want you getting cold feet, we took all that extra content out and turned it into a handy dandy workbook.

The workbook covers these topics:

• Project Goals
• Who to Involve
• Communications Strategy
• Project Milestones
• Distribution Methods

In the coming days, we’ll post an article about each of these. Let’s start with today’s topic: project goals.

Before you start any project, it’s a good idea to write down what you hope to achieve in order to deem your project successful. Don’t forget to include your boss(es) or leadership team to get their personal definitions of success. By discussing and documenting your objectives before you start, you’ll be able to measure your progress, and you’ll prevent the higher-ups from moving the goalposts. Plus, you’ll be able to steer clear of subjectivity when it comes to judging your performance (helpful around review time!).

In addition to the perks above, goal-setting will give you peace of mind, knowing you’re starting on a solid foundation. For example, leadership buy-in will help you enlist support from colleagues. If other departments know this project is more than just your brainchild, they’re more likely to give it the appropriate time and attention. Throughout the project (and especially during editing), you’ll be empowered to confidently make decisions by looking back at what best aligns with the agreed-upon priorities.

Use today’s checklist to write down what you’re hoping to accomplish with your employee handbook overhaul project. Once you’ve got a good grasp on the scope of the project, it’s time to consider who to involve.