We are documenting our Core Processes as we roll out EOS®, but our team is constantly finding new ways to use AI to speed up their work, which makes our documented processes obsolete. How do we maintain standard processes while allowing AI innovation?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Documenting your Core Processes is essential for scaling your business and preparing for an exit. However, standardizing your workflows does not mean locking them in concrete. If your documented processes are so rigid that they prevent your team from using AI to save time, your business will quickly fall behind.

To solve this, adopt a human-in-the-loop approach within your documented processes. Focus on documenting the high-level operational milestones, the inputs, the required quality standards, and the ultimate human accountability, rather than detailing every mouse click.

For example, in your marketing process, do not document the exact steps for writing a blog post. Instead, document the process for identifying target topics, the brand safety guidelines, the approval workflow, and the performance tracking. Let your team use whatever AI writing tools they want to draft the content, as long as they follow the quality control steps and meet the final standard.

Review your Core Processes during your quarterly planning sessions. If an AI tool has permanently changed how a department operates, update the documentation to reflect the new standard.

By documenting the what and the who rather than the hyper-specific how, you give your team the autonomy to innovate with AI while maintaining the operational consistency and predictability that buyers expect.