Product Description

The following excerpt is from chapter two, which describes why so many policies and procedures fail.

I have led hundreds of writing workshops. Before class I often study writing samples from those who will attend. Time after time I find the same dozen writing pitfalls that ruin policies and procedures. Just avoid this "deadly dozen," and your writing will easily outperform most of what other organizations grind out. The dozen pitfalls fit into three major groups: Writing Style, Page Layout, and Organization. . . .

Of all the "deadly dozen," the blending of policy, procedure, and task is one of the surest ways to produce a policy-procedure manual that defies reading. Often it's obvious the writer's own mind hasn't clearly distinguished policy, procedure, and task. As a result, the ideas spill onto the page like clothes from a tumble-dryer. Then the readers--if they try at all--must mentally sort out each piece and fit it into its proper place.

The differences that set policy, procedure, and task apart are important differences. They matter because each kind of written direction works best in its own format. Unless you first "think them apart," you won't be able to present each of the three in its own most readable form. What are the differences? That's the subject of the next chapter.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #203889 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 118 pages

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
What's worse than having to read a typical policy-procedure manual?

Having to write one. Most writers have no clue how to separate policies from procedures--or those from tasks. Nor do they know how to package each kind of written direction in its own most readable format. No wonder reading a policy-procedure manual often feels like watching a scrambled channel on TV.

This book is a descrambler. Step by step it clears away the confusion and helps you organize, separate, and format policies, procedures and tasks. Reproducible worksheets simplify the whole thinking-writing process. Result: An easy-to-read manual that will benefit your organization through:

Reduced reading time.

Better accountability.

Improved consistency in work completed.

More effective training for new personnel.

Increased protection against liability

Customer Reviews

Best book on the subject.
After ordering what I thought to be the six most likely prospects from Amazon I was most impressed with this book. It's a clearly written, step by step way to put together a complete manual from start to finish. It's the only book on the subject I would recomend.

A PRACTICAL HOW TO BOOK
Very useful easy to read & understand. Examples provided. We are using the methodology in our accounting department, but book is oriented towards a general audience & is valuable in documenting any type of process. I Highly recommend it.

Writing Policies and Procedures
How to Write Policies, Procedures & Task Outlines: Sending Clear Signals in Written Directions simplifies and demystifies the differences between policies, procedures and task lists. While many use these terms interchageably, each has its own source and target audience. Peabody clarifies this as well as gives straighforward ways to delineate each. This results in documents that are easy for the user to follow and for management to measure agaisnt. While Peabody used real world scenarios to illustrate before and after policies and procedures, I personally found his law enforcement examples outside my realm of interest and understanding. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend this book for both new and seasoned procedure writers. It brought me a whole new way of looking at these documents and simple, clear cut ways to handle the process going forward.