If It's Not Documented It Didn't Happen

Great leaders know how to manage risk. And few things are as important to managing risk as proper documentation. Unfortunately, we rarely even consider documenting conversations after they've happened. Perhaps we think it too tedious and time consuming.

And yet, when we neglect to document important conversations, agreements, ideas etc., we increase risk for mishaps.

When we don't document these conversation, another interesting thing happens: people remember the conversation differently.

Watch this video to see why if it's not documented, it didn't happen.

Shawn Sommerkamp

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[katherinerentino]

This a little over 5-min video is a keeper. I took notes and will definitely continue to document. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[robinlanter]

I found your channel by looking up, "If it isn't written down, it didn't happen." I liked your video so I subscribed to it. Could you make a video of what to do if your boss doesn't think like I do that everything should be written down. All my post checks, where I was at any given time, everything! I take my job seriously. I am Security at a Power Plant. My job before this was as a Correctional Officer.

[robinlanter]

I work at a Power Plant in Security. I write everything down in my DAR reports. The officer in Charge (OIC) has been forcing me to change the way I do my DAR'S because he thinks they are too long. Anything over two pages apparently is too long for him. He doesn't write everything down in his DAR'S. I told him, if it's not written down it didn't happen. His response was if a tree falls down in the forest and nobody see it did it not happen? Stupid response in my opinion!