How to Write an SOP in 2026 (Step-by-Step, With Examples)

Writing an SOP in 2026 is less about typing and more about capturing. The fastest workflow is: pick one narrow, repeatable task; run an AI capture tool like [Haiku](/reviews/haiku), [Scribe](/reviews/scribe), or [Tango](/reviews/tango) while you do the task once; let the tool generate the first draft with steps, screenshots and titles; then spend 10–20 minutes editing for clarity, adding the trigger, the owner, and the escalation path. The single highest-leverage step is testing the finished SOP with someone who has never done the task — if they complete it without asking a follow-up question, the SOP is done. If they don't, the missing pieces reveal exactly what to add. Skip the two most common shortcuts, 'I'll add screenshots later' and 'we'll set an owner later,' because both mean the SOP will be outdated in three months.