Implementation is a process. It is gradual. It will take more than telling someone once. It will take more than reading an SOP once. Implementation takes practice until perfect and even then, may never be perfect. We are human. We make mistakes. That is the only constant. Forgive imperfection. Forgive an honest oversight. Forgive someone having a bad or off day. If the same mistake keeps happening, address it with the individual(s) directly. Check in to ensure they understand the process.

Be open and approachable to be able to address questions if there’s a misunderstanding, also to listen to see if an adjustment needs to be made to the process. Ask for feedback or suggestions for improvement. Life is ever-changing; we are always pivoting. We need to change and pivot within our own processes.

We need to keep up with the times and technology. There is always room for improvement. It takes a team with diverse backgrounds to cover all aspects of a process. It cannot come from just one person
or one point of view. There is a tunnel vision of sorts with that way of thinking. Everyone has a job to do. Everyone considers the process from their point of view, not realizing other factors are at play. More minds are better than one!

When everyone is at their best at what they do, the team can bounce ideas off of each other and ask questions and bring up circumstances that another wouldn’t consider. This is how implementation should and needs to happen.

Implementation requires action. If you find yourself unable to act, identify the specific obstacle hindering your progress. For implementation to happen, one needs a plan. That plan may require you to make decisions in other areas that will be affected. It’s crucial to address all questions. Can you answer all these questions? If not, take a step back. One step at a time. You cannot jump to the front of the line when there are unanswered questions or decisions to be made. Ensure all foundational elements are in place first, as they will guide the plan, allowing implementation to proceed.

Ask the hard questions, make the tough decisions. Cover all the one-degree bases. Then
and only then can a plan be put into place for implementation.

Implementation of a new system or procedure will require patience from the leader. There will be mistakes, exceptions to rules, and factors that weren’t considered during the initial implementation process. It could take time and many adjustments to fine tune the process. As with most everything, we are ever-changing, and we may need to pivot or tweak a new SOP a few times to get the right system in place. Patience is a virtue they say, and it will take a patient leader to understand that new systems will take time to perfect. Factors to consider: long-time employees may need to break old habits to adjust to the new system, where new employees may pick it up faster since they do not have “bad” habits of doing
it “the old way.”