This workshop provides participants with what they have to know and to consider before writing a policy or procedure. We’ll look at what the courts expect, how policies differ from procedures, essential information for headers and footers, format options, success checkers, and writing style. 

ONE-DAY WORKSHOP

For 6 to 20 participants at your place of business

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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Every organization needs policies and procedures in order to operate efficiently, to avoid employee confusion, and to adhere to legal and regulatory guidelines. But writing these documents — and getting employees to actually pay attention to them — can be a challenge.

This training program is a highly interactive workshop designed to provide participants with a guide for creating policies and procedures that people will use and read.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

  • All those who wish to update their current skill levels in manual writing.
  • Anyone who wishes to learn to write effective policies & procedures documents

YOU WILL LEARN TO:

  • Plan the manuals preparation process
  • Identify the appropriate contents for the manual and organize it in an appropriate manner
  • Write clear, concise policies and procedures
  • Establish a program for keeping your documents up to date

COURSE OUTLINE

Determining the Types of Manuals Your Organization Needs

  • Differentiating between the various types of manuals
  • Identifying primary and secondary users
  • Evaluating alternatives for managing a system of interrelated manuals
  • Deciding when to update an existing manual or when to create a new one

Planning the Process

  • Identifying all the tasks necessary to prepare or update a manual
  • Evaluating alternative approaches for writing the manual
  • Developing a realistic project timetable

Deciding What Information to Include

  • Determining the needs of the users
  • Identifying key activities
  • Establishing clear accountability for managing key activities
  • Evaluating risks, consequences and impacts of activities

Preparing Policies & Procedures that Get Results

  • Understanding the differences between policies and procedures
  • Determining the appropriate level of detail to include
  • Using “playscript” to simplify complex procedures
  • Clarifying “if-then” situations through action-condition logic

Writing Clearly & Concisely

  • Applying the 7 rules for clarity
  • Choosing appropriate words & phrases
  • Using parallel structure to convey ideas
  • Understanding voice: active or passive voice
  • Simplifying actions with well-written numbered/bulleted lists
  • Making the manual an attractive reference tool

Using Visual Aids

  • Using flowcharts to outline and illustrate complex procedures
  • Communicating alternative policy or procedure options though decision tables
  • Including forms and other illustrations in manuals

METHODS TO BE USED

This workshop involves discussions and group and individual exercises. Ideally, participants should bring an outline of a policy they would like to work on to the session.

If the client has a preferred template, the facilitator will build the workshop around it.

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Course Code: WSJ705

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