It’s an unfortunately rare skill set to change documents. If the way it’s being done is better than the document, there is a process to make the document match, but that idea seems to not even occur to most of my coworkers, across multiple industries in my couple of decades working.
I have filled out so many change review forms justification field “updating document to match existing practice. No process change.” Boss always signs.
For non-tangible tasks (software/business processes). Yeah, whatever. They tend to not keep up with technology or an office change or whatever. Just update and move on.
For physical tasks, the process might be what it is to pass an audit or more importantly for safety. Workers want to do it in a non-compliant way cause it ‘works’ and takes half the time. Especially for safety reasons that’s a failure on management not enforcing it.
I work in manufacturing, lots of physical tasks. The work instructions for the physical tasks get out of date with control system and physical machine changes just as much as the non-tangible type work documents.
I have found work instructions that (succintly, no essays) explain when something is a safety protection, or affects quality, are more effective. Most workers want to make a good product, and are genuinely trying to be helpful by making a change, but might not have visibility to the full impact. Explanations can also help reduce change fear: often managers won’t approve change because they don’t know why a rule exists, but are afraid it’s important. Having the explanation right there with the rule can help reasonable arguments prevail over fear.
It’s an unfortunately rare skill set to change documents. If the way it’s being done is better than the document, there is a process to make the document match, but that idea seems to not even occur to most of my coworkers, across multiple industries in my couple of decades working.
I have filled out so many change review forms justification field “updating document to match existing practice. No process change.” Boss always signs.
Depends what it is…
For non-tangible tasks (software/business processes). Yeah, whatever. They tend to not keep up with technology or an office change or whatever. Just update and move on.
For physical tasks, the process might be what it is to pass an audit or more importantly for safety. Workers want to do it in a non-compliant way cause it ‘works’ and takes half the time. Especially for safety reasons that’s a failure on management not enforcing it.
I work in manufacturing, lots of physical tasks. The work instructions for the physical tasks get out of date with control system and physical machine changes just as much as the non-tangible type work documents.
I have found work instructions that (succintly, no essays) explain when something is a safety protection, or affects quality, are more effective. Most workers want to make a good product, and are genuinely trying to be helpful by making a change, but might not have visibility to the full impact. Explanations can also help reduce change fear: often managers won’t approve change because they don’t know why a rule exists, but are afraid it’s important. Having the explanation right there with the rule can help reasonable arguments prevail over fear.
Employee: “Change thing for (cost savings, expediency, safety)!
Management: (if they reply at all) “No. Do it the way we have always done it. Change is expensive.”
Will you be my co-worker?
Aw, thanks. I hope you gain a document savvy coworker!