Confessions from the Best Guess Express: A Process Documentation Journey
Let me tell you about my time as captain of the "Best Guess Express" – a title I held for far too long in my process documentation journey. If you're nodding along already, chances are you might be riding that same train.
Picture this: It's a typical Tuesday afternoon. I'm sitting at my desk, armed with good intentions and a blank Word document. I'm about to document another process, whenever it's "convenient" (spoiler alert: it never really is). Sound familiar?
My Documentation Sins
Looking back, my approach to process documentation was a masterclass in what not to do. Here were my greatest hits:
The Lone Wolf Syndrome
I worked in complete isolation, convinced that I knew best how everything should be done. After all, why involve others when you can just do it yourself, right? Wrong. So very wrong.
The Format Roulette
One day it was bullet points. The next, flowcharts. Sometimes I'd get fancy with screenshots and arrows pointing everywhere. There was no consistency, just whatever felt right in the moment. It was like playing documentation roulette, and nobody was winning.
The Rubber Stamp Special
My personal favorite: creating processes and rubber-stamping them without any input or buy-in from the team. I'd write them up, file them away, and expect everyone to somehow magically understand and follow them.
The Inevitable Crash
The results were predictable:
Team members ignored the documentation
Nobody could decipher my "hieroglyphics"
Processes weren't followed
Frustration levels soared
Time and effort were wasted
The documentation gathered digital dust
The Wake-Up Call
It took years (yes, years) before I had my epiphany: Process documentation isn't a solo sport. It's not about finding convenient moments to jot down procedures, and it's certainly not about imposing your way of doing things on others.
The real breakthrough came when I realized that effective process documentation requires:
A methodical, structured approach
Genuine collaboration with team members
Clear timelines and accountability
Consistent, proven templates
Team buy-in at every stage
Derailing the Best Guess Express
This realization led me to develop DocuLaunch™ – a framework specifically designed to get you off the Best Guess Express and onto a more reliable track. It's built on everything I learned the hard way, so you don't have to.
The framework addresses the core elements that make process documentation successful:
Team alignment and collaboration
Project planning and timeline management
Standardized documentation formats
Stakeholder buy-in strategies
Implementation and maintenance protocols
A Better Way Forward
Here's what I now know for certain: When you approach process documentation without a structured game plan, you're setting yourself up for failure. It's not just about getting words on paper – it's about creating documentation that:
Actually gets used
Makes sense to everyone
Has team buy-in
Remains relevant over time
Improves organizational efficiency
Your Ticket to Better Documentation
If you're currently the captain of your own Best Guess Express, know that there's a better way. You don't have to keep struggling with ineffective documentation practices or working in isolation.
I've made all our DocuLaunch™ tools and templates available for free on my page because I believe every organization deserves access to effective process documentation resources. These aren't just theoretical concepts – they're battle-tested tools that have helped numerous businesses get off the Best Guess Express and onto the right track.
The Bottom Line
Process documentation doesn't have to be a solo journey filled with frustration and wasted effort. With the right framework, tools, and approach, you can transform it from a dreaded task into a collaborative, effective practice that actually serves its purpose.
Remember: The Best Guess Express might seem like the easiest train to board, but it's never going to take you where you need to go. It's time to choose a better route.
Ready to start your journey toward better process documentation? All the tools you need are waiting for you. Let's leave the Best Guess Express behind for good.
