THE OPERATING MAP
Every business runs on procedures.
Explore 246 specific SOP topics across 23 functions. Each published guide is written as a practical starting point for an owner to adapt and approve.
246 topics · 0 published guides
FUNCTION
Strategy & governance
Decide, align, and keep the business accountable.
PlanningSet annual objectivesPlanned topic ↗PlanningRun quarterly planningPlanned topic ↗PlanningTranslate strategy into team prioritiesPlanned topic ↗PlanningReview a business modelPlanned topic ↗PlanningPrioritize a portfolio of initiativesPlanned topic ↗Decision makingWrite a decision memoPlanned topic ↗Decision makingApprove a major investmentPlanned topic ↗Decision makingRun a leadership meetingPlanned topic ↗Decision makingMaintain a decision logPlanned topic ↗Decision makingEscalate a cross-functional disputePlanned topic ↗GovernanceMaintain company policiesPlanned topic ↗GovernanceManage board reportingPlanned topic ↗GovernanceTrack strategic risksPlanned topic ↗GovernanceReview delegated authorityPlanned topic ↗GovernanceHandle conflicts of interestPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Company administration
Keep the entity, records, and recurring obligations in order.
Entity recordsMaintain corporate recordsPlanned topic ↗Entity recordsTrack licenses and permitsPlanned topic ↗Entity recordsManage registered business detailsPlanned topic ↗Entity recordsRenew business registrationsPlanned topic ↗AdministrationManage business insurancePlanned topic ↗AdministrationMaintain an authority matrixPlanned topic ↗AdministrationStore executed agreementsPlanned topic ↗AdministrationClose an office locationPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Finance & accounting
Protect cash, record activity, and close the books.
CashBuild a cash forecastPlanned topic ↗CashRun weekly cash reviewPlanned topic ↗CashApprove a paymentPlanned topic ↗CashReconcile bank accountsPlanned topic ↗CashManage petty cashPlanned topic ↗AccountingRecord an invoicePlanned topic ↗AccountingClose the monthPlanned topic ↗AccountingPrepare financial statementsPlanned topic ↗AccountingReview journal entriesPlanned topic ↗AccountingManage fixed assetsPlanned topic ↗PlanningBuild an operating budgetPlanned topic ↗PlanningInvestigate budget variancePlanned topic ↗PlanningPrice a new offeringPlanned topic ↗PlanningReview unit economicsPlanned topic ↗PlanningManage expense reimbursementsPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Tax & statutory reporting
Prepare reliable filings and evidence for advisers and authorities.
Tax operationsCollect tax documentsPlanned topic ↗Tax operationsPrepare a tax filing handoffPlanned topic ↗Tax operationsReview sales tax recordsPlanned topic ↗Tax operationsMaintain a tax calendarPlanned topic ↗Tax operationsRespond to a tax noticePlanned topic ↗RecordsRetain accounting recordsPlanned topic ↗RecordsDocument transfer pricing inputsPlanned topic ↗RecordsReconcile payroll tax recordsPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
People operations
Hire, support, develop, and offboard people consistently.
HiringOpen a new rolePlanned topic ↗HiringWrite a job descriptionPlanned topic ↗HiringScreen applicantsPlanned topic ↗HiringRun structured interviewsPlanned topic ↗HiringCheck referencesPlanned topic ↗HiringMake a job offerPlanned topic ↗Employee lifecycleOnboard an employeePlanned topic ↗Employee lifecycleSet probation goalsPlanned topic ↗Employee lifecycleRun a performance reviewPlanned topic ↗Employee lifecycleApprove leavePlanned topic ↗Employee lifecycleHandle a workplace complaintPlanned topic ↗Employee lifecycleOffboard an employeePlanned topic ↗DevelopmentCreate a training planPlanned topic ↗DevelopmentDocument role competenciesPlanned topic ↗DevelopmentPlan succession coveragePlanned topic ↗DevelopmentRun a one-on-one meetingPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Payroll & benefits
Pay people accurately and resolve exceptions.
Pay cycleRun a payroll cyclePlanned topic ↗Pay cycleApprove timesheetsPlanned topic ↗Pay cycleProcess a pay correctionPlanned topic ↗Pay cycleReconcile payrollPlanned topic ↗Pay cycleHandle a final paycheckPlanned topic ↗BenefitsEnroll a new employee in benefitsPlanned topic ↗BenefitsProcess a benefits changePlanned topic ↗BenefitsReview benefits invoicesPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Legal & contracts
Route agreements and legal issues to the right owner.
ContractsRequest a contract reviewPlanned topic ↗ContractsNegotiate a customer agreementPlanned topic ↗ContractsApprove a vendor agreementPlanned topic ↗ContractsTrack renewal and termination datesPlanned topic ↗ContractsManage signature authorityPlanned topic ↗Disputes & IPReceive a legal demandPlanned topic ↗Disputes & IPPreserve records for a disputePlanned topic ↗Disputes & IPRegister intellectual propertyPlanned topic ↗Disputes & IPManage open-source license reviewPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Compliance & risk
Maintain controls and respond to exceptions.
ControlsBuild a compliance registerPlanned topic ↗ControlsRun a control self-assessmentPlanned topic ↗ControlsRecord a policy exceptionPlanned topic ↗ControlsManage a regulatory changePlanned topic ↗ControlsPrepare for an auditPlanned topic ↗RiskMaintain a risk registerPlanned topic ↗RiskAssess a third-party riskPlanned topic ↗RiskReport a compliance concernPlanned topic ↗RiskInvestigate a suspected violationPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Security & privacy
Protect systems and personal data.
AccessGrant system accessPlanned topic ↗AccessReview user accessPlanned topic ↗AccessRemove access on departurePlanned topic ↗AccessRotate a shared secretPlanned topic ↗AccessApprove privileged accessPlanned topic ↗IncidentsTriage a security alertPlanned topic ↗IncidentsRespond to a data breachPlanned topic ↗IncidentsRun a phishing simulationPlanned topic ↗IncidentsRestore from backupPlanned topic ↗IncidentsRun a disaster recovery testPlanned topic ↗PrivacyHandle a data access requestPlanned topic ↗PrivacyDelete personal dataPlanned topic ↗PrivacyClassify sensitive informationPlanned topic ↗PrivacyReview a new data processorPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
IT & internal systems
Keep staff tools available and supportable.
Service deskTriage a help desk ticketPlanned topic ↗Service deskProvision a new laptopPlanned topic ↗Service deskReplace a lost devicePlanned topic ↗Service deskManage software licensesPlanned topic ↗Service deskRetire an old devicePlanned topic ↗ChangesApprove a system changePlanned topic ↗ChangesDeploy an internal toolPlanned topic ↗ChangesMaintain an asset inventoryPlanned topic ↗ChangesMonitor system availabilityPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Product management
Discover needs and turn them into reliable releases.
DiscoveryCollect customer feedbackPlanned topic ↗DiscoveryRun a discovery interviewPlanned topic ↗DiscoveryDefine a product requirementPlanned topic ↗DiscoveryPrioritize a product backlogPlanned topic ↗DiscoveryValidate a product hypothesisPlanned topic ↗DeliveryPlan a product releasePlanned topic ↗DeliveryApprove a feature launchPlanned topic ↗DeliveryManage a product incidentPlanned topic ↗DeliveryRetire a featurePlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Engineering & quality
Build, test, release, and operate software safely.
DevelopmentReview a code changePlanned topic ↗DevelopmentWrite a technical designPlanned topic ↗DevelopmentManage a dependency updatePlanned topic ↗DevelopmentRun a release checklistPlanned topic ↗DevelopmentRoll back a deploymentPlanned topic ↗ReliabilityRespond to a production incidentPlanned topic ↗ReliabilityWrite a postmortemPlanned topic ↗ReliabilityMonitor service healthPlanned topic ↗ReliabilityTest a backup restorePlanned topic ↗ReliabilityManage a vulnerability fixPlanned topic ↗QualityCreate a test planPlanned topic ↗QualityTriage a defectPlanned topic ↗QualityRun acceptance testingPlanned topic ↗QualityMaintain a regression suitePlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Marketing & brand
Plan campaigns, publish accurately, and learn from results.
CampaignsBuild a campaign briefPlanned topic ↗CampaignsApprove campaign spendPlanned topic ↗CampaignsLaunch an email campaignPlanned topic ↗CampaignsReview campaign performancePlanned topic ↗CampaignsArchive campaign assetsPlanned topic ↗ContentPlan an editorial calendarPlanned topic ↗ContentReview marketing claimsPlanned topic ↗ContentPublish a blog postPlanned topic ↗ContentUpdate an outdated pagePlanned topic ↗ContentRespond to a social media issuePlanned topic ↗BrandApprove brand assetsPlanned topic ↗BrandManage a press requestPlanned topic ↗BrandCoordinate an eventPlanned topic ↗BrandReview a sponsorshipPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Sales & revenue
Qualify demand, quote consistently, and hand off wins.
PipelineQualify an inbound leadPlanned topic ↗PipelineRun a discovery callPlanned topic ↗PipelineUpdate a sales opportunityPlanned topic ↗PipelineForecast the sales pipelinePlanned topic ↗PipelineClose a lost opportunityPlanned topic ↗CommercialPrepare a proposalPlanned topic ↗CommercialApprove a discountPlanned topic ↗CommercialRun a product demoPlanned topic ↗CommercialNegotiate a dealPlanned topic ↗CommercialHand off a won customerPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Customer success & support
Help customers adopt, renew, and resolve problems.
OnboardingOnboard a new customerPlanned topic ↗OnboardingRun a kickoff meetingPlanned topic ↗OnboardingBuild a customer success planPlanned topic ↗OnboardingTrack activation milestonesPlanned topic ↗SupportTriage a support requestPlanned topic ↗SupportEscalate a customer issuePlanned topic ↗SupportHandle an outage communicationPlanned topic ↗SupportResolve a billing complaintPlanned topic ↗SupportClose a support ticketPlanned topic ↗RetentionRun a business reviewPlanned topic ↗RetentionManage a renewalPlanned topic ↗RetentionIdentify churn riskPlanned topic ↗RetentionProcess a customer cancellationPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Business operations
Keep recurring work and cross-team handoffs reliable.
ExecutionDocument a recurring processPlanned topic ↗ExecutionAssign a process ownerPlanned topic ↗ExecutionRun a daily operations reviewPlanned topic ↗ExecutionHandle an operational exceptionPlanned topic ↗ExecutionImprove a broken processPlanned topic ↗ProjectsStart a cross-functional projectPlanned topic ↗ProjectsTrack project risksPlanned topic ↗ProjectsApprove a project changePlanned topic ↗ProjectsClose a projectPlanned topic ↗ProjectsTransfer ownership of a processPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Procurement & vendors
Source, approve, and monitor external partners.
BuyingRaise a purchase requestPlanned topic ↗BuyingCompare vendor bidsPlanned topic ↗BuyingApprove a purchase orderPlanned topic ↗BuyingReceive purchased goodsPlanned topic ↗BuyingMatch a supplier invoicePlanned topic ↗VendorsOnboard a vendorPlanned topic ↗VendorsReview vendor performancePlanned topic ↗VendorsRenew a vendor contractPlanned topic ↗VendorsOffboard a vendorPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Supply chain & inventory
Move goods and maintain accurate stock.
InventoryReceive inventoryPlanned topic ↗InventoryPerform a cycle countPlanned topic ↗InventoryInvestigate stock variancePlanned topic ↗InventoryReorder stockPlanned topic ↗InventoryWrite off damaged inventoryPlanned topic ↗LogisticsPlan a shipmentPlanned topic ↗LogisticsSelect a carrierPlanned topic ↗LogisticsTrack a delayed deliveryPlanned topic ↗LogisticsHandle a returned shipmentPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Production & facilities
Run physical operations with clear checks and handoffs.
ProductionStart a production runPlanned topic ↗ProductionInspect incoming materialsPlanned topic ↗ProductionPerform an in-process quality checkPlanned topic ↗ProductionQuarantine defective outputPlanned topic ↗ProductionHandover a production shiftPlanned topic ↗FacilitiesOpen a facility for the dayPlanned topic ↗FacilitiesSchedule preventive maintenancePlanned topic ↗FacilitiesRespond to an equipment breakdownPlanned topic ↗FacilitiesManage a visitorPlanned topic ↗FacilitiesClose a facility for the dayPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Health, safety & environment
Prevent harm and respond clearly when conditions change.
SafetyReport a workplace hazardPlanned topic ↗SafetyInvestigate a near missPlanned topic ↗SafetyRespond to a workplace injuryPlanned topic ↗SafetyRun a safety briefingPlanned topic ↗SafetyInspect emergency equipmentPlanned topic ↗EnvironmentHandle a spillPlanned topic ↗EnvironmentTrack waste disposalPlanned topic ↗EnvironmentReview an environmental permitPlanned topic ↗EnvironmentMeasure energy usePlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Data & analytics
Define trusted measures and use them responsibly.
GovernanceDefine a business metricPlanned topic ↗GovernanceApprove a data sourcePlanned topic ↗GovernanceDocument a data pipelinePlanned topic ↗GovernanceReview data qualityPlanned topic ↗GovernanceManage data retentionPlanned topic ↗ReportingPublish a KPI dashboardPlanned topic ↗ReportingInvestigate a metric anomalyPlanned topic ↗ReportingRun a weekly metrics reviewPlanned topic ↗ReportingCorrect a published reportPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Knowledge management
Capture procedures and make changes traceable.
SOP lifecycleWrite a standard operating procedurePlanned topic ↗SOP lifecycleReview an SOP with a subject expertPlanned topic ↗SOP lifecycleApprove an SOPPlanned topic ↗SOP lifecycleTrain a team on an SOPPlanned topic ↗SOP lifecycleRevise an outdated SOPPlanned topic ↗SOP lifecycleRetire an SOPPlanned topic ↗ContinuityCreate a role handoverPlanned topic ↗ContinuityRun a lessons learned sessionPlanned topic ↗ContinuityMaintain a knowledge basePlanned topic ↗ContinuityCheck document version controlPlanned topic ↗
FUNCTION
Partnerships & expansion
Evaluate new channels and markets with explicit gates.
PartnershipsQualify a partnership opportunityPlanned topic ↗PartnershipsApprove a partner agreementPlanned topic ↗PartnershipsOnboard a channel partnerPlanned topic ↗PartnershipsReview partner performancePlanned topic ↗PartnershipsEnd a partnershipPlanned topic ↗ExpansionEvaluate a new marketPlanned topic ↗ExpansionOpen a new locationPlanned topic ↗ExpansionLaunch a new business linePlanned topic ↗ExpansionRun a pilot programPlanned topic ↗