How to Document SOPs Before You Hire Offshore
Playbooks · 6 min read · Updated 2026-07
Document SOPs before hiring offshore by recording yourself doing the task (screen + voice), then turning that into a simple step-by-step doc or checklist. You don't need perfect documentation to start — you need enough to onboard, then you build the rest with the hire in the first weeks.
Record first, write second
The fastest way to capture a process is to do it while recording your screen and narrating. A five-minute recording becomes a step-by-step SOP in minutes — far quicker than writing from scratch.
Build the rest with the hire
Have your new hire document the process in their own words as they learn it, and correct it. This both accelerates their ramp and produces cleaner SOPs than you'd write alone — turning documentation into a shared, leadership-owned habit.
Key takeaways
- Record yourself doing the task, then write it up.
- You don't need perfect SOPs to start.
- Have the hire document as they learn.
- Treat SOP capture as a leadership habit, not admin.
Common questions
What's the minimum SOP I need before hiring?
Enough to onboard the first tasks — a rough checklist or screen recording. Build the detailed SOPs collaboratively in the first few weeks.
Your next hire doesn't have to cost six figures.
Book a 30-minute strategy session. You'll leave with a costed workforce plan, indicative salaries and a realistic timeline — whether you work with us or not.