I find Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and checklists a game changer.
I’m slowly systemising most of my work into a series of SOPs and checklists.
I’ve got these guides on many things – from ordinary legislation, many chemical regulatory procedures, to briefings and letters for ISC. The list grows.
I got hooked for 3 reasons.
First, the writing process forces me to see if I really know every step and what to do next. Every time I’ve done it, I’ve refined the process and found obscure steps.
Second, it is a great leverage tool. If prepared well, it allows a smart person with little or no specific knowledge about a specific task to deliver a good product. Hopefully, as good as I would do, if I had the time to do it.
Third, it removes cognitive load. When I face a complex legisaltive or regulatory procedure, or task, I just open up the SOP/Checklist, and I follow the steps.
There is a weird magic. I don’t think there is a better way to put down what I think is best practice, garned over more than 25 years of experience , into clear and repeatable by anyone who wants to use them.
There are downsides.
Even if telepathy exists, you still need to write down the steps to follow. Your subconcious brain will skip steps. Writing forces you fix those jumps. This just takes time.
People may not want to use the SOPs/checklist. Maybe they have a better way of doing things.
Some people think that lobbying is a creative art. The advice is unique every time. You could never systemise the sparks of genuis.
After I’ve finished the large package, I’ll add annotetd examples and explainer videos,
The updside is my very smart colleague, Simon Terwagne, has produced some excellent SOPs/Checklists on some of the more challenging chemical regulatory procedures.
This is what Chat GPT says:
The use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and checklists by lobbyists offers numerous advantages, especially considering the intricate and often regulatory-focused nature of their work. Here’s how these tools can benefit lobbyists:
- Consistency and Compliance: SOPs and checklists ensure that all lobbying efforts are consistent and in compliance with complex legal and regulatory frameworks. This reduces the risk of inadvertent violations that could lead to legal issues or damage reputations.
- Efficient Resource Management: By streamlining processes, these tools allow lobbyists to efficiently manage their time and resources, focusing more on strategy and less on administrative tasks. This is critical for maximizing influence and outcomes with limited resources.
- Risk Reduction: They provide clear guidelines for handling sensitive information and navigating ethical considerations, which is crucial in maintaining integrity and trust in the lobbying process.
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuity: SOPs and checklists facilitate the transfer of knowledge within the organization, ensuring that valuable insights and strategies are not lost with staff turnover. This is essential for maintaining effectiveness over time.
- Enhanced Communication: These tools serve as a clear guide for expectations, roles, and responsibilities, ensuring that all team members are aligned and reducing misunderstandings in collaborative efforts.
- Scalability: As lobbying efforts expand, SOPs and checklists make it easier to onboard new team members and scale operations, ensuring that the quality of advocacy does not diminish as efforts grow.
- Accountability and Performance Tracking: They enable better tracking of activities and responsibilities, making it easier to evaluate individual and team performance. This accountability is key in demonstrating value to clients or stakeholders.
- Informed Decision-Making: During critical moments, SOPs and checklists can provide quick reference points to support decision-making, ensuring that actions are grounded in best practices and prior successes.
- Regulatory Adherence: They help ensure that all lobbying activities are conducted within the bounds of applicable laws and regulations, which is vital for maintaining legitimacy and avoiding penalties.
- Ongoing Improvement: Documenting processes allows for the continuous review and refinement of lobbying strategies and operations, leading to better outcomes and more effective advocacy over time.
For lobbyists, the adoption of SOPs and checklists not only streamlines operations and enhances efficiency but also plays a critical role in ensuring compliance, managing risks, and maintaining the efficacy of their advocacy efforts in the complex and regulated landscape of political influence.