If you’re a regular Executive Pastor Online visitor, you’ve noticed many posts containing part or all of the content of a piece of Management System documentation. For example, over the last several months, I’ve been posting the 50 sections of a sample Staff Policy Manual. I’ve been working on making Executive Pastor Online’s “free resources” available as post content in addition to PDF content. In fact, I will soon be releasing a whole new look and feel when it comes to the resources available on this site. And, as new resources are made available, they will be feature posts helping readers be aware of something new that’s available to them.
What are the advantages of making documentation live post content versus PDF content? There are several:
- Search-Ability – Making the Management System’s content “live” as posts or pages makes it searchable. As a PDF, aside from maybe the file name, searching won’t find any content. If a new staff member needs to know the church’s vacation policy, they’re going to search on “vacation,” not “Staff Policy Manual,” which contains the vacation policy.
- High Availability – If Management System content is “web content,” it can be accessed from anywhere at any time on any web-enabled device.
- Link-Ability – As web content, a Job Description or Policy Manual can contain links to other content in the system. For example, if Job Descriptions contain “staff designations” or other organizational structures or compensation grades, etc., they can contain links to other areas of the Management System that have that content explained or otherwise available. There are also ways to provide term definitions, etc., using a “hover over” application.
The real benefit of a Management System is that it enables leaders to establish “best practices” for all aspects of the ministry. These best practices are documented in policies, procedures, forms, charts, graphs, etc. This documented infrastructure is then made available to new staff and others who need to know how something is to be done, leveraging the knowledge, expertise, and leadership ability of the key leaders in the organization.
Implementing the Management System online with all of its content in the form of posts, pages, and electronic forms is the best way to create the tools the organization needs to function efficiently and productively.
Work on my church’s management system (The CCV Management System) continues. Check it out HERE. You’ll view the home page but will need a login to read any of the content. Most of the content is available here on Executive Pastor Online. Take a look around!
The post The New Management System appeared first on Executive Pastor Online.