We need to document our Core Processes to prepare our business for an exit, but our department heads are getting bogged down in writing complex manuals. How do we simplify this process so it actually gets done?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Documenting processes is one of the most common bottlenecks in preparing for an exit. Teams often make the mistake of trying to write massive, detailed manuals that no one will ever read. This approach takes months and results in outdated documents that fail to drive consistent execution.

In EOS, we use the 3-Step Process Documenter to keep things simple. You must document your processes at a high level. We call this the twenty-eighty rule: capture the twenty percent of the steps that produce eighty percent of the results.

Start by identifying your handful of Core Processes, such as your HR process, marketing process, sales process, and operations process. For each process, have the owner draft a simple document that is only one to five pages long. Use bullet points and clear, plain language to outline the major steps.

Once these high-level processes are documented, your next step is to ensure they are followed by everyone. This is where you drive consistency and build real value for a buyer. A buyer wants to see that your business has a proven way of doing things that is easily repeatable. Keep your documentation simple, clear, and focused on the essentials.