PREP WORK ~ BEFORE YOU HIT THE TABLE
LeSSONS LEARNED & RULES OF THUMB.
As designers, we all move through a process, from idea to final product, and that journey can easily become an SOP. When you define the steps you take and notice what consistently works, you create a system you can refine and return to. There’s no need to start from scratch every time when past successes can guide you forward. Learn from the missteps, build on the wins, and keep shaping a process that supports you.
Let’s dig in!
WHAT IS AN S.O.P.?
An SOP, or standard operating procedure, is simply a step-by-step guide for how a task gets done.
According to the Monday.com Blog, “In business, an SOP is a step-by-step process employees follow when performing routine activities. SOP documentation covers a wide variety of policies, business processes, and procedures.”
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN S.O.P.?
An SOP can serve many roles in your creative practice. You can build it as you work, documenting your actions in real time so you or other designers can easily revisit and replicate a successful process later on.
It also builds trust with clients. When you walk them through what your collaboration will look like, both the journey and the deliverables, you take the guesswork out of the experience. That transparency sets clear expectations and strengthens the relationship from the start.
SOPs create consistency, prevent important steps from being overlooked, and reduce time spent onboarding or training others. They also make delegation simple because everyone knows exactly what needs to be done.
SOP vs. AGENDA
An SOP and an agenda share the goal of keeping everyone aligned, but they function differently:
An agenda outlines the checkpoints you’ll cover.
An SOP explains how to complete the tasks behind those checkpoints.
An SOP is more about how to execute a set of tasks, while an agenda is the overarching checkpoints that need to be addressed.
HOW SHOULD I START?
Let’s take a look at how an SOP functions in an agency setting, and then think about how to bring that same structure into your own workflow. Staying consistent with your checkpoints, and being transparent with clients, positions you as reliable and trustworthy.
Consider the following questions:
Who is the SOP for, and what are its goals?
Who is responsible for each task?
Key structural elements (from monday.com/blog):
title
scope/purpose
roles & responsibilities
procedure steps
definitions
related documents
turnaround times
quality standards
revision history
approval signatures
Review and Adjust Your SOP
Your first draft isn’t your final draft. Make a copy of your process and refine it each time you use it. Keep a running document of your methods and insights so your system grows with your experience.
The first time you run through a new SOP, you’ll almost always find steps you want to reorganize or expand. That’s part of the process.
Example SOP
Here’s a simple example of how an SOP might look for delivering a brand identity deck:
Have a discovery call.
Meet the client.
Establish the client’s needs.
Pitch your capabilities.
Conduct research.
Draft initial concept sketches.
(Optional) Create mockups and a concept presentation.
(Optional) Hold a checkpoint meeting.
Refine sketches and prepare the final direction presentation.
Have a final feedback meeting with the client.
Deliver the completed brand identity deck.
This SOP is not exhaustive.