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The Process Documentation Template

A standardized approach to documenting any process in your organization.

Process Documentation Template

Use this template to document any process in your organization. Fill out each section thoroughly for maximum clarity.


PROCESS OVERVIEW

Process Name: [Clear, descriptive name]

Process ID: [Optional unique identifier]

Version: [Version number and date]

Owner: [Person accountable for this process]

Purpose: [What outcome does this process achieve?]

Scope: [What is included and excluded from this process?]


TRIGGER

What starts this process?

Scheduled (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.)
Event-triggered (describe the event)
Request-based (who can request)
Other: ____________

Trigger details:

[Specific description of what initiates this process]


INPUTS

Required inputs:

| Input | Source | Format | How to obtain |

|-------|--------|--------|---------------|

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

Prerequisites:

[Prerequisite 1]
[Prerequisite 2]
[Prerequisite 3]

STEPS

Step 1: [Step Name]

Actor: [Who performs this step]

System: [What tool/system is used]

Description:

[Detailed description of what to do]

Inputs for this step:

  • Outputs from this step:

  • Notes/Tips:


  • Step 2: [Step Name]

    Actor: [Who performs this step]

    System: [What tool/system is used]

    Description:

    [Detailed description of what to do]

    Decision Point: [If applicable]

  • If [condition]: Go to Step X
  • If [condition]: Go to Step Y
  • Otherwise: Continue to Step 3

  • Step 3: [Step Name]

    [Continue pattern for all steps]


    OUTPUTS

    Primary outputs:

    | Output | Destination | Format | Timing |

    |--------|-------------|--------|--------|

    | | | | |

    | | | | |

    Success criteria:

    [How do you know the process completed successfully?]
    [Quality standards to meet]
    [Verification steps]

    EXCEPTION HANDLING

    Exception 1: [Problem Description]

    Detection: How do you know this happened?

    Resolution: What do you do?

    Escalation: Who do you contact if you can't resolve?

    Exception 2: [Problem Description]

    Detection:

    Resolution:

    Escalation:

    General Escalation Path

  • First contact: [Name/Role] - [Contact info]
  • Secondary: [Name/Role] - [Contact info]
  • Emergency: [Name/Role] - [Contact info]

  • TIMING

    Typical duration: [X minutes/hours]

    Best case: [X minutes/hours]

    Worst case: [X minutes/hours]

    Deadline/SLA: [If applicable]


    RELATED PROCESSES

    Upstream processes: (What feeds into this process?)

  • [Process name] → This process
  • Downstream processes: (What does this process feed into?)

  • This process → [Process name]
  • Related documentation:

  • [Link to related doc]
  • [Link to related doc]

  • TOOLS REQUIRED

    | Tool | Purpose in Process | Access Link | Access Required |

    |------|-------------------|-------------|-----------------|

    | | | | |

    | | | | |


    REVISION HISTORY

    | Version | Date | Author | Changes |

    |---------|------|--------|---------|

    | 1.0 | | | Initial version |

    | | | | |


    CHECKLIST FOR COMPLETION

    Use this checklist each time you complete the process:

    All inputs received and verified
    Step 1 completed
    Step 2 completed
    Step 3 completed
    [Continue for all steps]
    Outputs delivered to correct destination
    Quality check completed
    Process logged/recorded

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