Do You Have a System for Not Having a System?

You’ve got a system for everything, right? If not, then you’re currently building systems for everything, right?

I’ve seen some great procedures manuals assembled by law firms. They’re the core of your practice. It’s critical that you have things written down.

But, what happens when you don’t have a system for dealing with something that comes up? What do you do?

You need a system for dealing with the lack of a system. That’s the ticket.

This should be one of the first systems you develop if you’re early on in building your systems. If you’ve already got your practices written down and don’t have a system for the missing system then now’s is the time to add this to your system. Did that make any sense at all?

So lets talk about what a system for dealing with the lack of a system should look like.

How about this?

Missing System System (what to do when we haven’t yet addressed the situation you’re facing).

1. Deal with the situation as you see fit. Do whatever you need to do, using your best judgment, to resolve the issue. You are authorized to spend up to $250 to resolve the issue without requesting approval.

2. Add the issue to the Missing System Log and forward it to your supervisor. Please provide as much detail and documentation as possible so that we can develop a system for addressing this issue.

3. Supervisor shall draft a system for handling the issue and circulate the draft to the management team.

4. Supervisor shall place the issue on the next management team agenda where it shall be considered. The management team shall either adopt the proposed draft or request changes and direct that the issue be placed on the next management team agenda.

5. Once the new system is adopted it shall be disseminated to the entire team and added to the systems documentation.

You’ll need to tweak the system for your practice. Once you’ve worked it out, inform everyone and get them to join you in the hunt for missing systems. The missing system system is an important step in moving your systems documentation process toward completion.