Documents Needed for an Operations Manual
The specific documents needed depends on the type of business and manual you're going to create.
If this is a business manual (non-franchise) ask yourself whose eyes are going to see the document. Is this manual for your eyes only? Then you can add more sensitive information like vendors, usernames, and passwords for Web services used. Gather every document you use in your business. If this is a business manual (non-franchise) the manual will also be used as a reference for employees and will be available to many, so don't put anything in there you wouldn't want a competitor to see.
Franchise operations manuals are a little different. You're documenting your business process (because that is what the franchisee has purchased a license for). The franchisee is an independent business owner, so you can mandate vendors or certain processes, but some things they are free to decide on their own. You definitely would not want to add personal information to a franchise manual (passwords, etc.) and you cannot make any promises or add information about how much money is made. This "implies" the franchisee will make the same and that is a franchising no no. With a franchise manual remember this motto: document the process and make no promises. A franchise manual can be used as a legal document, so be sure to have an attorney look it over.
Where available, click on the link in the list of documents below for more information. This list is a work in progress.
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