Write it down. The key to a process that your employees – or really, anybody – can follow in a repeatable, standardized way is that it must be written down. This doesn’t need to be an extremely detailed document – and, in fact, it’s better if it isn’t (see tip #2). Having something in writing for an employee to reference helps when they’re out in the field or away from you and other managers. They don’t have to spend their time and yours to ask questions, and they can easily do things the “right way” even when you’re not there with them.

Keep it simple. It’s important to keep your process as simple and brief as possible. The clearer and briefer the process, the easier it is for someone to follow correctly. You want to distill the process down into the fewest steps possible while still getting the full activity completed. Keeping it simple also helps save you time – you won’t get bogged down trying to document every single detail or point about the task. You’re simply capturing the key points they need to remember each time.

Make it handy. Have the process posted or readily available in the place where the employee performs the task. For example, keep laminated copies of planting and harvest processes inside each piece of equipment, so employees have ready access when they’re in the field. Maybe there’s a pre-task equipment check-over you require employees to do – that might be posted inside the machine. This makes it even easier for people to do the right thing.

Don’t stress. The real importance of capturing basic processes for your operation is in making sure they’re “good enough,” not perfect. Trying to create – and then maintain – perfect, detailed processes for every task in your entire operation will only lead to headaches and frustration. And because technology changes so rapidly on the farm, you’d constantly be creating and then re-creating the wheel. Try to keep it simple and train others in your operation to document simple processes for others as well.