TRY This: How to Build Systems Worth Doing Again and Again
Developing processes that are teachable, repeatable, and yield results.
By David Sena | BoldLeading.com
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
—Colossians 3:23
If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
If something is worth doing well, it’s worth doing again.
Whether you’re planning a gala, writing an appeal letter, or coordinating volunteer training, the way you approach your work will determine if the effort can be easily repeated and passed on—or if it dies when you’re done. [Or, at least, will require unnecessary time and effort to be created from scratch again.]
When approaching new projects and processes, I remember the acronym TRY:
When you build systems that are teachable, repeatable, and yield results, you’re not just completing a task—you’re creating a legacy of effectiveness that others can carry forward.
1. Teachable – So Others Can Run With It
If you can’t explain your process to someone else, you probably don’t understand it as well as you think. A teachable process:
Has every step written down.
Includes details from everyone involved.
Makes it possible for someone new to follow the plan without guessing.
Tip: Document your process the first time you do it. Write down what you did, who was involved, what resources were needed, and what worked well.
2. Repeatable – So Success Isn’t an Accident
A one-time win is great, but if you can’t do it again, you’re starting from scratch every time. A repeatable process:
Follows the same steps each time.
Improves with each run.
Saves you time, energy, and money.
Tip: After the first run, review your notes before the next event. Add corrections and lessons learned so your process gets sharper every time.
3. Yields Results – So It’s Worth the Effort
A process isn’t valuable if it doesn’t move you toward your goal. A results-yielding process:
Produces measurable outcomes.
Meets or exceeds the original objective.
Gives you confidence to delegate it to others.
Tip: Track the outcomes. Whether it’s attendance numbers, dollars raised, or volunteer sign-ups, keep a record so you know your process works.
The Pitfall That Can Stop You Cold
One of the biggest pitfalls in living out the TRY framework is skipping the review process.
Over and over again, I’ve seen organizations put massive effort into a gala, strategic plan, or outreach campaign only to find they can’t repeat the success because they never wrote anything down.
The Importance of a Process-Driven Culture
When success depends on the memory, personality, or skills of one key person, your organization is at risk. If that person leaves, so does the knowledge. By documenting what works and refining it over time, you make your processes person-independent—shifting from a “people-driven” operation to a process-driven culture.
Yes, culture is shaped by people, but it’s sustained by systems. A strong culture isn’t fragile; it’s reinforced by well-documented processes that anyone can step into and succeed with.
Too Busy Not To
It’s common for nonprofit and ministry staff to feel stretched; there’s so much to be done and not always a lot of people to do it. “I don’t have time to document our process” is a common sentiment. But in reality, your time is too valuable not to.
Creating well-defined systems and processes can save your team and organization a great deal of time—and money—in the long run. That’s stewarding your resources wisely.
Final Thought
Don’t just “try” something—TRY it. Build a process that is teachable, repeatable, and yields results, and you’ll create work that outlasts you, honors the mission, and moves your vision forward year after year.
Your Next Step
Ready to TRY? Here are some tools you could use to document your processes:
Build an Excel spreadsheet, Google sheet, or Word document.
Subscribe to and populate a project management program (Asana, Wrike, Monday.com, etc.).
Use an online AI service (Chat GPT, Perplexity.ai, etc.) to create a process template customized for your event or project.
If you’d like support in building teachable and repeatable processes that yield results, Bold Leading is ready to help. We’ve worked with numerous leaders and teams to develop processes that streamline efforts and build efficiencies for the long run.
About Bold Leading
Bold Leading supports nonprofit leaders in building sustainable ministries that advance Kingdom work. We help faith-driven organizations:
Develop strategy
Improve fundraising
Strengthen branding and communications
Visit us at boldleading.com to learn more.