12 Foundational Processes EVERY Business Needs, and How To Start.
Erin Hansell Erin Hansell

12 Foundational Processes EVERY Business Needs, and How To Start.

Some processes are intentionally designed. Others... just happen. But all of them quietly shape every decision, every workflow, every outcome.

I’m Colleen O’Connell and after years if diving deep into business operations, I’ve learned that every business -Some processes are intentionally designed. Others... just happen. But all of them quietly shape every decision, every workflow, every outcome.

I’m Colleen O’Connell and after years if diving deep into business operations, I’ve learned that every business - at its very core - is nothing more than a network of processes working (or not working) together.

Some business processes are intentionally designed. Others... just happen. But all of them quietly shape every decision, every workflow, every outcome.

Before we look at the 12 Mission-Critical SOPs, it helps to understand where they fit. Business Process Tiers give us a framework to prioritize our efforts - from basic survival to mature, scalable, transferable enterprises.

Tier 1 - The Essentials

These are the non-negotiables. Without them, the business is fragile and operations are at risk. Tier 1 SOPs keep the business safe, and functioning.

Tier 1 SOPs

  • Billing & Collections

  • Employee Orientation

  • Order Fulfillment / Service Delivery

  • Sales / Lead Intake

  • Customer Onboarding

  • Customer Service / Issue Resolution

Tier 2 - Stability

This is where stability begins. Once you have more than two people, it's time to document decisions, roles, and expectations.

Tier 2 SOPs

  • Payroll & Benefits

  • Basic Data Backup & Recovery

  • Internal Communications Protocol

  • Organizational Chart / Responsibilities Map

  • Accounts Payable / Vendor Management

  • IT Access & Security Setup (email, 2FA, AI-use guidance)

Tier 3 - Credibility & Standards

Here the business starts operating with industry-level structure. Whether it’s quality, safety, compliance, or certifications, Tier 3 SOPs signal competence and professionalism. In regulated industries, they’re mandatory. In unregulated ones, they’re a powerful trust signal.

Tier 3 SOPs

  • Performance Management & Reviews

  • Marketing Campaign Process

  • Project Management Workflow

  • Standard Proposal / Bid Process

  • Recurring Internal Reporting Cadence

Tier 4 - Differentiators

With the basics locked in, you're ready to scale. You've pushed past survival into optimization, consistency, and customer experience.

Tier 4 SOPs

  • Licensing / Certification Renewals

  • Quality Control / Assurance

  • Safety & Regulatory Compliance (OSHA/HIPAA/ISO)

  • Audit Preparation & Response

Tier 5 - Strategy & Resilience

For businesses to withstand change, and protect enterprise value. These systems ensure the business stays strong - no matter what shifts around it.

Tier 5 SOPs

  • Strategic Planning Framework

  • Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery

  • Risk Management Assessment

  • Succession Planning at its very core - is nothing more than a network of processes working (or not working) together.

Some business processes are intentionally designed. Others... just happen. But all of them quietly shape every decision, every workflow, every outcome.

Before we look at the 12 Mission-Critical SOPs, it helps to understand where they fit. Business Process Tiers give us a framework to prioritize our efforts - from basic survival to mature, scalable, transferable enterprises.

Tier 1 - The Essentials

These are the non-negotiables. Without them, the business is fragile and operations are at risk. Tier 1 SOPs keep the business safe, and functioning.

Tier 1 SOPs

  • Billing & Collections

  • Employee Orientation

  • Order Fulfillment / Service Delivery

  • Sales / Lead Intake

  • Customer Onboarding

  • Customer Service / Issue Resolution

Tier 2 - Stability

This is where stability begins. Once you have more than two people, it's time to document decisions, roles, and expectations.

Tier 2 SOPs

  • Payroll & Benefits

  • Basic Data Backup & Recovery

  • Internal Communications Protocol

  • Organizational Chart / Responsibilities Map

  • Accounts Payable / Vendor Management

  • IT Access & Security Setup (email, 2FA, AI-use guidance)

Tier 3 - Credibility & Standards

Here the business starts operating with industry-level structure. Whether it’s quality, safety, compliance, or certifications, Tier 3 SOPs signal competence and professionalism. In regulated industries, they’re mandatory. In unregulated ones, they’re a powerful trust signal.

Tier 3 SOPs

  • Performance Management & Reviews

  • Marketing Campaign Process

  • Project Management Workflow

  • Standard Proposal / Bid Process

  • Recurring Internal Reporting Cadence

Tier 4 - Differentiators

With the basics locked in, you're ready to scale. You've pushed past survival into optimization, consistency, and customer experience.

Tier 4 SOPs

  • Licensing / Certification Renewals

  • Quality Control / Assurance

  • Safety & Regulatory Compliance (OSHA/HIPAA/ISO)

  • Audit Preparation & Response

Tier 5 - Strategy & Resilience

For businesses to withstand change, and protect enterprise value. These systems ensure the business stays strong - no matter what shifts around it.

Tier 5 SOPs

  • Strategic Planning Framework

  • Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery

  • Risk Management Assessment

  • Succession Planning


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