What I Learned In School Today: Remain patient when developing procedures.
A school is its own interconnected system of people in various roles working on their given responsibilities to successfully navigate the day. Everything requires some sort of process to be completed effectively. Attendance requires a process so that we can account for each kid. The cafeteria requires a process so that we know how much food is needed at breakfast and lunch. Student registration requires a process to keep organized the documentation required to enroll a child in a school.
When reviewing, altering, or initially developing any kind of procedure, it is important to remain patient. As I work through a scenario and develop a procedure for something, I attempt to envision every angle and think about what I may have missed or forgotten in the process. Once I am comfortable enough with a new process to share it with those involved, I inevitably feel a sense of accomplishment. THIS IS WRONG! Creating the processes and procedures is only the beginning. Next, one must examine its effectiveness, gather feedback, and assess the need for changes. These steps are where patience are needed. While you may know exactly how something should work, it’s unfair to assume that everyone else is equally comfortable. Be patient and prepared to repeat yourself until it makes sense to everyone.