The Key Documents Your Company Must Have (...and yes, you actually do need them)

Let’s be real: most businesses are great at what they do—whether it’s building apps, creating medical devices, providing top-notch services, or launching world-changing innovations. But when it comes to documenting how they do it? That’s often where things get… interesting.

Documentation may not be glamorous, but it is what keeps your business running like a well-oiled machine. It saves time, reduces errors, supports compliance, and makes onboarding less of a scavenger hunt. Whether you're a startup or a well-established company, having the right documents in place puts you ahead of the game.

Here are the key business documents your company should have in its arsenal—and if you don’t, don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for. 😉

1. 📖 Operations Manual

Think of this as the “how to run our company” guide. It covers everything from daily procedures to team responsibilities. It’s especially helpful for onboarding new employees and making sure everyone’s rowing in the same direction.

Bonus: It also means you can take a vacation without 42 panicked phone calls.

2. 🧭 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

SOPs are step-by-step instructions for how things get done—consistently, safely, and correctly. They’re vital for industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, but honestly, every business benefits from them.

It’s like giving your team a map instead of just yelling “Good luck!” into the void.

3. 🧪 Instructions for Use (IFUs)

If you’re in the medical device, pharma, or tech space, you already know: IFUs are a must. They help users safely and effectively operate your product—and keep you compliant with regulations.

Our medical writers are fluent in FDA, EMA, and "human being who needs to understand this" language.

4. 💻 User Guides & Help Documentation

Whether it’s a software platform, an app, or a piece of equipment, your users need to know how it works. Great user guides reduce support tickets, boost satisfaction, and make your brand look pro-level.

Because figuring things out shouldn’t involve guesswork—or desperate scrolling through internet forums.

5. 👩‍🏫 Training Content

From onboarding modules to skill-building sessions, training content helps your team grow and stay sharp. Good training is clear, engaging, and customized for your audience—not just a 52-slide snoozefest.

We’ve all survived bad training, let's not go back there.

6. 🧠 Knowledge Base Articles

These are bite-sized articles that answer common questions, explain features, and make it easy for users or staff to find what they need quickly. They are perfect for customer service teams, internal support, or SaaS products.

Think of it as self-service that works quickly.

7. 📝 Proposal Templates & Boilerplate Content

If you regularly respond to RFPs or craft custom proposals, having strong, editable templates makes the process faster and more consistent—without reinventing the wheel every time.

Proposals that are clear, compliant, and convincing? We write those.

8. ✅ Compliance & Regulatory Docs

Depending on your industry, these could include HIPAA policies, ISO documentation, audit materials, or any number of legally required documents. They’re serious business—and we know how to handle them.

We help make the complicated stuff readable, reliable, and review-ready.

9. 🧾 Internal Policies & Employee Handbooks

Setting expectations, outlining conduct, and making sure everyone’s on the same page. It’s a win for your team and your HR department.

Pro tip: It doesn’t have to be dry. We write policies people will read.

10. 🔄 Process Manuals

These go deep into the how-to of specific workflows. Perfect for cross-training, continuity, and that moment when your one expert decides to retire or move to Bali.

So, what now?

If you’re missing some of these key business docs—or know they’re outdated, unloved, or written in legalese only your lawyer understands—we can help. At Writer Resource, our team of professional writers, editors, and training developers are experts at making your business documentation that are not just usable—but helpful.

Let’s get your documentation working as hard as you do. 📩 Contact us to get started!