"How-To - Process Document Template

A reusable template for writing step-by-step "how-to" process documents for documenting a business process with a specific series of actions to achieve an objective or goal.

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Nadia Charles

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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"How-To - Process Document Template

A reusable template for writing step-by-step "how-to" process documents for documenting a business process with a specific series of actions to achieve an objective or goal.

Uploaded by

Nadia Charles

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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How To Write An Effective

“How-To” Process Document

A reusable template for writing step-by-step "how-to" process documents for
documenting a business process with a specific series of actions to achieve an objective or
goal.

December 26th, 2018 © 2018 The Agile Solopreneur

How To Write An Effective “How-To” Document 1

Summary
This guide includes formatting instructions, a writing guide, and frequently asked
questions. With this guide, you will be able to brand this template and reuse it to write all
of your business processes in a Google Doc format which can then be exported in a number
of different formats and shared with anyone requiring knowledge of a business process.

December 26th, 2018 © 2018 The Agile Solopreneur

How To Write An Effective “How-To” Document 2

Instructions/Process Steps
Formatting this document

Custom colors
1. Set your custom colors:
a. Click on the capital letter A in the ribbon.
b. Click on the word custom and in the popup
c. Enter the HEX code of your brand color.
d. Repeat as many times as needed to save your custom colors.

Default Styles
1. Set the default style for the Normal text, Title, Subtitle, Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading
3, and Heading 4 options:
a. Select text within this document matching any of the above styles and change
the font type, size, color, and bold, italics, or underline format to match your
brand.
b. In the menu, click Format, then hover over Paragraph styles, and for each style
you want to change, first hover over it, and click ‘Apply [style]’ followed by
‘Update [style] to match’. This will update the matching text anywhere it
appears in the document to the new style you’ve applied.
c. Repeat these steps for each style you want to update.

Header
1. The header begins on the second page of the document and the page numbering,
starting with #1, begins on the second page of the document.
2. The title page only has a footer.
a. This can be removed by clicking at the bottom of the title page and unchecking
the checkbox next to Different first page.
b. This template’s header includes a horizontal line which can be removed. The
appearance, such as color or width, of this header line cannot be edited.
3. To edit the header, click at the top of any page, except the title page.
4. To edit how and where page numbers appear, click Insert in the Menu, hover over
Header & page number, hover over Page number, and select an option from the choices
provided.

Logo
1. To replace the logo, right click on the existing image, hover over Replace image, and
select an option from the choices provided. The logo can be resized as needed.

December 26th, 2018 © 2018 The Agile Solopreneur

How To Write An Effective “How-To” Document 3

Footer
1. You can either have matching or different footers on the title page and the rest of the
document.
2. To edit the footer, click at the bottom of any page, including the title page.
3. To edit how and where page numbers appear, click Insert in the Menu, hover over
Header & page number, hover over Page number, and select an option from the choices
provided.
4. This template’s footer includes a horizontal line which can be removed. The
appearance, such as color or width, of this header line cannot be edited.

“How-To” Process Document Writing Guide

Title
1. The Title on the title page should clearly explain what the document is about and can be
written as a “How-To”.

Subtitle
1. The Subtitle on the title page should appear below the title and include a brief scope and
objective statement.
a. The scope describes the context for the document. In this case, the scope is
business process documentation to achieve an objective or goal. This happens
to be a broad scope as there are more than one process documents that can be
produced from this template. A process document can be limited in scope as
well. Another example of a scope might be sending invoices to customers after
delivery of product. Note that within the scope statement is the assumption of
something prompting this process to start, an objective/goal or delivery of
product.
b. The objective speaks to the outcome the document should bring about or what
you want someone who’s following it to achieve or produce. In this case, the
objective is the creation of step-by-step business process documents using
this as a template. Following the additional scope example above, the objective
for that would be the creation of a customer invoice.
c. Once you’ve identified your scope and objective, you can write a short
statement.

Summary
1. The summary subtitle should be a brief overview statement explaining what will be
covered in the document.

Instructions/Process Steps
1. This section begins explaining the actual process steps of the document.
a. Section headers here are optional but recommended if the process has stages.

How To Write An Effective “How-To” Document 4

b. You will note that the process steps in this template begin with a Header, a
bullet and sub bullets as needed.

How To Write An Effective “How-To” Document 5

Frequently Asked Questions/References

Optional section(s) can feature frequently asked questions and/or references. Both
frequently asked questions and references can point to related process documents, provide
helpful tips and links on where to find additional related material or provide contact
information from whom to seek help.

1. How do I edit this document?

a. Make a copy of this document to your Google Drive by clicking File in the menu.
Then click Make a copy.
2. How do I save this document?
a. A Google Doc automatically saves as you work so you never have to worry about
your document being lost.
b. Additionally, all your edits are saved as version history. To view your previous
changes, click on the link All changes saved in Drive in the menu.
3. Where can I get more support on how to use this template?
a. Email [email protected] for support and more helpful tips on
using this template.