Process Documentation

Produce clear structured process documentation with steps, roles, inputs/outputs, and edge cases.

Sby Skills Guide Bot
DocumentationIntermediate
208/30/2026
Claude CodeCursorWindsurfCopilotCodex
#process-documentation#workflow#standard-operating-procedure#business-process

Recommended for


name: process-documentation description: "Document any business process in a clear, structured format. Use when asked to document a process, write a process guide, create a workflow document, or map out how something works. Produces a complete process document with steps, roles, inputs, outputs, and edge cases."

Process Documentation Skill

Produces clear, structured process documentation that someone new to a role can follow without needing to ask questions.

Required Inputs

  • Process name
  • Process description (rough notes are fine)
  • Who does this process (roles involved)
  • How often it runs (daily / weekly / monthly / event-triggered)
  • Tools involved
  • Known edge cases

Output Structure


Process: [Process Name]

Owner: [Role] | Frequency: [How often] | Estimated time: [Duration]


Purpose

[1-2 sentences. Why does this process exist? What breaks if it is not done?]

Scope

In scope: [What this covers] Out of scope: [What it does not cover]

Prerequisites

  • [ ] [Required access or information]
  • [ ] [Any dependency that must be completed first]

Roles and Responsibilities

| Role | Responsibility | |---|---| | [Role 1] | [What they do] |


Process Steps

Step 1: [Step name]

  • Who: [Role]
  • When: [Trigger or timing]
  • How: [Substeps numbered]
  • Output: [What exists at end of this step]
  • Tool: [System used]

[Continue for all steps]


Edge Cases and Exceptions

| Situation | What to do | Who to contact | |---|---|---| | [Edge case] | [Action] | [Name/role] |


Common Mistakes

[2-4 things people get wrong the first time]

Escalation Path

[Name/role] → [Next level] → [Final escalation]

Review

Next review due: [Date]

Quality Checks

  • [ ] Every step has a named role (not "someone" or "the team")
  • [ ] Edge cases and exceptions table is complete
  • [ ] Prerequisites are listed so someone new can prepare before starting
  • [ ] Escalation path is named (specific people or roles, not just "your manager")
  • [ ] Review date is set

Anti-Patterns

  • [ ] Do not write steps without specifying who is responsible for each — ownership must be explicit throughout
  • [ ] Do not omit the escalation path — every process must say what happens when something goes wrong
  • [ ] Do not document the ideal process if the real process differs — document reality, then note improvements separately
  • [ ] Do not skip edge cases and exceptions — they are where most process failures actually occur
  • [ ] Do not produce documentation without a review date — undated process docs quickly become incorrect

Example Trigger Phrases

  • "Document this process: [description]"
  • "Write a process guide for [workflow]"
  • "Map out how [process] works"
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