By Adrian Luevano
We all want consistent results, whether we’re building Legos or completing tasks at work. The problem is that when processes aren’t documented (or we don’t have clear instructions) everyone interprets things differently; consistency is lost, and efforts are often duplicated and consequences can be significant: wasted time, frustration, and results that don’t meet expectations.
A Simple Classroom Exercise with a Big Lesson
I remember an interesting exercise from a class. Our professor divided us into two teams and gave us a variety of Lego pieces, simply saying, “Build a house.” We could make any house we wanted, there were no restrictions. Once we finished, he asked us to write instructions so someone else could replicate our house, and to take a photo before disassembling it. At first, it seemed like a very simple task, build a house and write down how we built it.
The next step was to exchange instructions and try to follow them as accurately as possible. When we compared the final result to the photo, we couldn’t stop laughing… it looked nothing like what we had intended to build! Some walls were upside down, colors didn’t match, pieces were missing and towers ended up on the wrong side.
The lesson was clear; we wrote the instructions thinking about ourselves and didn’t consider that others might not interpret them the same way. We assumed that what was obvious to us would be obvious to everyone else, but it wasn’t.
How This Shows Up in the Workplace
The same principle applies in the workplace: clear processes allow us to replicate successful outcomes. Without them, team members may approach the same task in completely different ways, causing confusion, mistakes, and duplicated efforts. Even a small miscommunication can escalate when multiple people are involved or when the same task is repeated over time. Documenting processes doesn’t just make life easier—it makes teams more efficient and reliable.
Writing manuals isn’t just about listing steps; we need to consider how someone else might interpret them and strive to be as clear as possible. The goal is for the process to be followed by different people in the same way, without having to provide additional explanations each time. Think of it as creating your own Lego instruction booklet: if it’s well-designed, anyone can achieve the intended result, even if they have never built that model before.
AI-generated image of the Center for Innovation made of Legos
Why Well-Designed Processes Matter
Personally, my favorite Legos are the pre-designed sets; they come with all the pieces and instructions needed to build the figure on the box. I love them because simply following the instructions gives me the expected result every time.
Processes are like Lego instructions: they allow anyone to replicate successful outcomes. That’s why having well-documented processes in place is essential to maintain consistency and efficiency. It might take extra time upfront, but it saves countless hours of frustration, reduces errors, and ensures that the results are exactly what we intended. Plus, well-documented processes can serve as a training tool for new team members, a reference for future projects, and a safeguard against forgetting important steps.
AI-Generated image of Adrian Luevano
The Final Takeaway
Investing time in properly documenting processes ensures that the final result is exactly what we expect. So now you know, document your processes, or risk ending up like me, staring at a pile of Legos, wondering what went wrong!!
Clear processes don’t happen by accident—they’re designed. If you’re interested in improving documentation, efficiency, or team alignment, email info@innovators.net to learn how the Center for Innovation can help.