Audit before policy
Why understanding the current system should come before writing another document.
Read the work as well as the file
A policy describes an intended way of working. It does not show whether people can use it. Compare the written process with the decisions managers make and the questions employees ask. The gap may be a missing agreement, an unclear responsibility or a tool that is unnecessarily difficult.
Prioritise the friction
Not every finding deserves the same response. Consider its effect, frequency and the effort needed to improve it. Start with the changes that make essential work clearer and safer, giving each action an owner and a review point.
Keep the review useful
An audit should create a shared understanding of what needs attention. Use language the business recognises and distinguish observations from recommendations. The value lies in decisions made after the review, not in the length of the report.