It is a document written in a format that provides easy understanding for everyone who must use the procedure. The format is similar to a Playscript, the actors (users) listed on the left and their "words" or actions shown on the right. Use an extra column for related comments or cross-references.

Include workflow process overview information in the Playscript Procedure’s heading:

Process Description:
Concern / Issue
Key Question

Quick Example:
PROCEDURE # IPC 14

SUBJECT: FACILITIES "MAKE-READY"
JAN 23, 2001 ___________ WHO DOES WHAT?

Team Leader___________

1. Calls all members to meet at offsite emergency facilities.

All Members ___________

Writing Playscript procedures requires following these simple rules:

1. Short sentences
2. Familiar words
3. Active voice (Straight order)
4. "People"
Plus: Leave enough "white space" for readability.

Short Sentences

Keep sentences as short as possible. Three, four and five word sentences are great!
Ten words are o.k., but anything beyond that can probably be split into shorter sentences.

Familiar Words

The key here is "familiar." Short words are not necessarily familiar words while some "long" words are understandable (there's a long one for you!) for everyone.

• When writing a Playscript procedure, use familiar words - words
  you know will be understood by the users.
• If your readers don't know what "bits" and "bytes" mean, they are not familiar words.
• If you must use a word that is "unfamiliar," define it for your readers,
  at least, the first time you use it.

Active Voice (or Straight Order)

It is as simple now as it was when you were taught in the fifth grade: subject-verb-object (man ties shoes, man bites dog, client signs contract).

WHO DOES WHAT ?

Salesperson -------
1. Prepares standard contract.
2. Obtains management approval.
3. Presents contract to client.
Client -----------------
4. Reviews terms and conditions and signs contract.

"People" In Procedures

People make the world go around and people make procedures. Get the people into the act.
Procedures are written for people...to help them do their work. Let the people "in." BUT DON'T USE PEOPLES' NAMES...

People change jobs, but the jobs remain where they are (until an organization change), so use the names of the functions if you can, such as Production Engineering, Security Department, Facilities, Drafting, Accounts Receivable, Warehousing, Shipping, Insurance, Finance,
Auditing, Information Processing, etc.

So, There You Have It...

It's up to you how your procedures are written.
If you want them to be understood easily and quickly, adapt the Playscript Procedure format.

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Playscript+Procedure%22

Playscript, originally developed by Leslie H. Matthies, has been a standard in many organizations for user procedure manuals. Here is a comprehensive and well illustrated manual on the practical implications of using this time-honored method, showing in step-by-step detail how to develop a Playscript procedure. It also covers the handling of complex routines, conversion of existing procedures and implementation. http://www.ozemail.com.au/~forms/PWLIST.html

• Robert Barnett and Associates - Business Forms and Systems
  ... honored method, showing in step-by-step detail how to develop a Playscript procedure.
  It also covers the handling of complex routines, conversion of existing ...
  www.ozemail.com.au/~forms/BOOKS.html - 9k

OS/2 CONNECT - March 2000
... SOURCE: The New Playscript Procedure by Les Matthies, 1961. Les had specific rules
for writing the "Actions" involving the use of verbs and nouns, as well as ...
www.os2ss.com/connect/edit0300.htm - 8k

• [PDF] www.stc.org/pics/ppsig/www/sept97.pdf
  ... attempt procedures needed to be con- ed. The client was using Micro- verted into
  playscript procedure soft Word 7.0 in Windows 95. As See PROPOSAL, p. 3. format ...
  Text version

Systemation - Who We Are - Systemation History
Also see: http://www.systemation.com/what/index.html
... a lot, we've done a lot. From the Playscript Procedure in the 1950's to today's Virtual
Teams, Systemation was there, helping companies reach their potential. ...
www.systemation.com/who/history.html - 10k

• The Technical Editors' Eyrie Newsletter
  ... Matthies, Leslie A., The New Playscript Procedure, Management Tool
  for Action, Stamford, Conn.: Office Publications Inc., 1977. ...
  www.wrevenge.com.au/eyrie/tenews12.htm - 15k

Technical Writing Training
... procedures and desk instructions. Preferred technical writing styles and the playscript
procedure writing format. Eliminating procedural ambiguity. Using flow ...
www.manufacturingtraining.com/Technical%20Writing.htm - 20k

• Napa Valley Register | Napanews.com | Archives 2000 | Leslie ...
  ... workshops (7) and lectures. His most widely known works include "The Playscript Procedure,"
  "The Management System," "The Professional Systems Course" and "The ...
  www.napanews.com/napa/Arc2000.nsf/ByDocID/1FB3D4F3BADB0AEC8625691B00574538?OpenDocument - 29k

Business Process Charting
... to the Professional edition for $495.00 and add the new Playscript procedure writing
feature, interactive connections between charts, color, data analysis and ...
www.qsoftguide.com/WebStart/QSoftweb.nsf/268123ed200fe1928525650000538a62/ 1796c6b837c67c5a85256783006b003d?OpenDocument - 10k

• Detailed Table of Contents - Establishing a System of ...
  ... Table of Contents for Policies and Procedures Playscript Procedure for Technical
  Instructions Only Policy Document with Indented Numbering Policy Document ...
  companymanuals.com/toc2.htm - 11k

The Ben Graham Corporation
... at $189.95. The Professional Edition, for $495.00, includes the Playscript procedure
writing feature, interactive connections between charts, the ability to ...
www.worksimp.com/wssi/features.shtml - 32k

• RMProgram Guidelines 4
  ... step is accompanied by a logical step sequence number and is written in the active
  voice. An example of a portion of a playscript procedure is shown below. ...
  www.records.nsw.gov.au/publicsector/rk/guidelines/rm_program/ rmprogram_guidelines4.htm - 41k

[PDF] www.stc.org/pics/ppsig/www/march99.pdf
... 0034 (home) 708/585-1446 (fax) titled "Writing Policies and The Playscript procedure
ssereno@moreira.com Procedures Documents." writing style is well known P&P ...
Text version

• Robert Barnett and Associates - Business Forms and Systems
  ... the content into two separate types of documents--procedures and job outlines. A
  Playscript procedure "is a write-up that reflects the system. It is a document ...
  www.ozemail.com.au/~forms/PWSYS1.html - 70k

Writing Revisable Manuals glossary.htm
... Playscript procedure a form of step-by-step procedure that identifies the person
performing the action in the white space column beside the steps. ...
www.techcommunicators.com/dkmanual/glossary.html - 26k

• Build your own collection of RARE BOOKS
  ... 160/-. 1957. A Guide to Operational Research. Eric
  Duckworth. 70/-. 1962. The Playscript Procedure. Leslie ...
  www.chapterandverseindia.com/Management.htm - 101k

ecdd1293 - Writing Guide [Fifth Edition]
... Press, 2nd Revised Edition, 1987. Matthies, Leslie H. The New Playscript Procedure.
Stamford, Connecticut 06904: Office Publications, Inc., 1977. RCMP ...
www.rcmp-learning.org/docs/ecdd1293.htm - 64k

• Untitled
  ... generation" (as opposed to "Fourth Generation Languages" - see listing) and were
  ultimately derived from the Playscript procedure technique (see listing). ...
  www.os2ss.com/connect/mbagloss.htm - 79k

fwMethods
... output. . A playscript procedure which describes the
main steps in performing the function. Sub-Section ...
www.pssicentral.com/html/A15main.htm - 11k

• Untitled
  ... (i) the features and purpose of a Playscript Procedure Outline;.
  (ii) the features and purpose of a Playscript Task Outline;. ...
  webdev.uow.edu.au/commerce/buss/exams/sess2_93/212.html - 9k

Practical Playscript - Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 The Role of Procedure Manuals
Why have a procedure manual?
Functions of a manual

Chapter 2 Content of Procedure Manuals
Types of material
Putting the facets together
An overview of Playscript
Advantages and uses of Playscript

Chapter 3 Rules of Structure
Changing the format
Procedures versus other material
Using a standard layout form
Procedure Layout
Sequence of steps

Chapter 4 Subroutines and Side Channels
Short side channel involving one person
Short side channel involving more than one person
Two short alternative channels with multiple steps
Major branch into two separate activities
The rare problem exceptions
Choices within a choice
Handling multiple decisions

Chapter 5 Task Outlines
The basic structure
What to include
Special cases

Chapter 6 Writing Style
Start with a clear structure
Avoid confusion
Writing procedures as part of a team

Chapter 7 The Writing Cycle
What makes up a procedure?
Writing the procedures
Rewriting existing procedures in a new format
Writing procedures for a new system
Documenting current unwritten procedures

Chapter 8 Implementing Playscript
Teaching users about Playscript
Teaching users about a new procedure or a change
Gaining acceptance
Encouraging revision
Manual Production
Making changes
One final matter

Appendix 1 Suggested Reading

Appendix 2 Decision Tables

Appendix 3 Subject Index