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Writing Policies, Procedures and Tasks
VERSION: 1.1 (June 15, 2006)
Completing this course prepares participants to think through policies, procedures, and task outlines (desk manuals) more effectively, and to write them in a more readable style. Learn the most popular format for policy/procedure writing in Washington State—adopted by various state agencies, correctional facilities, counties, cities, and corporations.
Key Benefits
- Reduce liability and confusion with clearly written directives.
- Stabilize staff action despite top-level changes.
- Save management time by documenting policies and procedures.
- Learn to write policies that staff can actually read and understand.
Style of Instruction
Onsite: Taught by one of our instructors in a training room, using audio/visual presentations and in-class exercises.
Online: You will download text materials and instructional movies to view. You will view the materials and complete assignments at your own pace, then submit them electronically to your instructor. You may opt to meet your instructor at regular intervals in a live audio/video conference room to discuss your work. The Online video narrator is Larry Peabody.
Who Should Take this Course?
Anyone who must write policies, procedures, tasks, directives, instructions, standard operating procedures, or office desk manuals.
Objective
You will learn the most popular format used by Washington State agencies, municipals, and other entites for writing policies, procedures, and task manuals.
Course Contents
- How To Write a Policy in "Headline" Format:
- Using the policy planner worksheet as a thinking guide.
- 10 steps in writing readable policies.
- Identifying revisions, simply.
- 7 checksteps for revising draft policies.
- How To Write a Procedure in "Playscript" Format:
- Planning a procedure with the Procedure Planner worksheet.
- Handling exceptions.
- Creating the playscript layout.
- Building in a cross-reference system.
- 9 checksteps for revising draft procedures.
- How To Write a Task in Parallel "Cookbook" Format:
- Getting organized with the "Task Outliner" worksheet.
- Pointers on the effective use of the cookbook format.
- 7 checksteps for revising draft task outlines.
- Adopting a Workable Numbering System:
- Identifying main categories for an operations manual.
- Creating policy-procedure-task "families" for easy reference.
- Numbering items without using decimal points.
- Practical Tips for Manual Writers and Managers:
- Using the "Priority Rating Scale" to help decide when to write and what to write.
- Trimming the manual to a size that encourages use.
Text
Onsite participants will use How To Write Policies, Procedures, and Task Outlines, by Larry Peabody. The last chapter of the book includes master copies of seven worksheets. Other chapters explain how to use each one as a thinking or writing tool.
Online participants will download materials. The textbook must be purchased separately and is available from the author or from Amazon.com.
Prerequisites
To profit from this course you need to:
- Write documents in understandable English.
- Slowly review the material and complete all exercises and assignments without the help of others.
- Navigate a Web site using hypertext links (online course only).
- Send and reply to e-mail messages (online course only).
What we require of you
For the onsite class, you must show up for class on time and remain until it is completed (approximately 7-8 hours each day). You will interact with other learners. Ask questions when confused.
For the online class, you will take this course at your own pace. Although we estimate you can complete this course in 18 hours, you have up to ten weeks. If you are new to self-directed learning, you may find this style of learning fresh—and a bit frightening. You learn by doing. Ask questions when confused. That means you must have the drive and discipline to see the course through.
Before you start
- Review your own schedule to make sure you have the time to give to this learning process.
- For the onsite class you should bring a policy and procedure you need to revise.
- For the online class you need to review this document, the terms and conditions, and technical requirements to make sure that you meet all of them (see links below).
- After reading this entire description, proceed to the Register page when you are ready to sign up.
Instructor
Write Words, American Writing Services provides all instructors. For more information on our instructors, click here.
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