I agree. Operations manuals are critical to growing a business and to document my operations AND manage my efforts I have turned to a piece of software called GTD Tiddly Wiki.

What is it?

GTD wiki is an open-source (FREE!) piece of software that allows a user to create a wiki... a webspace that allows user to create and easily modify content.

This allows me to easily modify my operations manuals from any computer in the world -- and share that manual with freelancers and outsourced employees.

(NOTE: I have different password protected versions of the wiki posted for employees. An operations manual is a very sensitive piece of information and you would not want competitors getting ahold of a copy -- or malicious people. So think through your security plan.)

While any wiki allows you to create your operations manual online, I chose GTD Tiddly Wiki because it allows me to integrate my (Getting Things Done) GTD lists and support materials. With GTD Tiddly Wiki I can create and edit lists, and then print directly to 3x5 cards for my HipsterPDA.

Some of you might find this idea useful, especially if you outsource employees and/or work.

Aloha,

Jason Cain