[Updated 2023] How to Design an Informative Manual (Best Templates Included)

"Life doesn't come with an instruction manual," quotes Scott Westerfield, a well-known American author. But courtesy of the way we conduct our work, we will always need one.

A manual leads the way to simplification and, thereby, time management. Be it centered around a product, a service, or a general guide about a company's working, it contains prescribed and well-researched facts that will not change for a while.

Manuals broadly fall under three categories:

Service manual: for technicians and trained people
User manual: for customers and users of a particular product
Operation manual: for the company's staff, comprising policies, responsibilities, training, etc.

This well-tested and acknowledged way is then applied and memorized along the way so that one doesn't have to look back into the book again.

via GIPHY

How do you design a manual?

A manual is usually divided into three parts: the front matter, the body, and the back matter. It encompasses portions like the table of contents, primary purpose, FAQs, and the glossary. A such a manual can either be a one-page or a booklet depending on the scope of information shared.

For instance, user manual templates are extensively employed by industries or companies that manufacture products or offer customer service. Within this, it entails information about the products, their practical use and maintenance, warranty details, and other return policies.

Similarly, within a business organization, operational manuals are disbursed to acquaint employees with their responsibilities, share company updates with them, or generally share the company policies and work with them.

They act as the look-up guides whenever organizations have to deal with corporate knots and consequently resolve them as per the guidelines set by their founding members or committee meetings.

As such, if your organization is struggling with an ineffective learner's guide, it is time to rely on SlideTeam's specter of exhaustive research and spurting creativity. Thus, we have summarized the top 10 manual templates to enhance learning and memorization of your thoroughly researched guides and procedures. Download these to create impressive manuals for inbound and outbound sharing.

Template 1: Business Procedure Manual PowerPoint Presentation Slides

If you are looking for a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation to entail your business operations and guide your recruits, here is a complete deck to perform this task effectively. This PPT design comprises 51 professionally designed slides ready to be filled with data (including text and imagery). This complete deck PowerPoint template is entirely editable and, hence, can be renewed and re-compiled to share updates as per your annual or n-year renovations.

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Template 2: Business Manual PowerPoint Template

Here is the first template to share your presence in the business world. Use this 51-slide business manual to share your vision, areas of expertise, departmental overview, and a public financial report of your company's performance.

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Template 3: Automation of HR Workflow Comparison between Manual and Automation Process PPT Framework

This PPT template is a must-have for anyone looking to perform an in-depth comparison between manual and automated HR workflows. It offers valuable insights into the key points that affect HR processes, such as employee turnover, manual data updating, process automation, and statistical analysis. With this template, you can easily present your findings and make informed decisions about the best HR workflows for your organization. This presentation is designed to be inclusive, allowing you to compare and contrast different HR workflows for a comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of each. The insights provided will help you identify areas where automation can improve HR processes, reduce errors, and save time. Whether you're an HR professional looking to streamline your processes or a business owner seeking to optimize your HR department, this PPT template is the perfect tool to help you make informed decisions. With its clear and concise presentation, you'll be able to communicate your findings to others in a way that is easy to understand and actionable. If you're looking for a reliable and informative resource to guide your HR workflow comparison, look no further than this PPT template. It's a valuable investment that will pay off in increased efficiency, better decision-making, and, ultimately, improved business outcomes.

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Template 4: One-page User Guide Manual PPT Report

This is a commonly downloaded user manual template to share your product description and its mode of working with your customers. Equip this one-pager template with products to act as guides in its effective usage. Download this user-guide manual template here and start editing it right away.

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Template 5: Business Operational Concept and Structure PPT Design

Here is another handy operational manual for composing a full-fledged report of your business operation. This template encompasses everything from the vision to the geographical spread and future aspiration, and, therefore, you can share it with potential clients and staff. The download link is shared below.

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Template 6: User Manual Development for Employee Work Instruction

This is another frequently circulated operation manual for recruits to intimate them about their responsibilities. Use this single-slide template to cover your prepared slides of instructions and the employee code of conduct. Download this employee manual cover slide here.

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Template 7: One-page Instruction Manual for Community Against Coronavirus PPT Presentation

If your search revolves around an infographic-rich template that can serve as a roadmap for your community toward healthy living in times of COVID, here is a perfect match for your needs. Use the characteristic infographics in this PPT template to enhance its visuals and bring your community together with awareness. Imply the importance of precautions at various public facilities and connect their joint role in creating a healthy society with this manual template.

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Template 8: One-page Informational Linux Manual PPT Presentation

If your objective in devising a manual is to share a guide on software or an operating system, here is a user manual template to put to use. Deploy this PPT template to direct users toward the effective use of Linux. In a compact, column form, prepare a one-page guide for users to explore this operating system.

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Template 9: One-page Manual for Effective Management of Public Service

Here is an infographic template to bring a sense of social responsibility among your staff. In a series of 6 illustrations, you can impress the correct conduct of appeasing your customers by working in proximity with your employees. Train them to behave better and offer incentives to create satisfied clientele with this manual template on public service.

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Template 10: One-page Manual for House Funding Organization

If your business falls in the category of house funding, here is a one-page manual template to dignify your achievements while sharing your presence in the community. Share your unique features and how your affiliation with you can benefit users with this informative manual PPT template.

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Final Word

So that was the ultimate catalog of manual templates that you will ever need. Meanwhile, if you are looking for similar office templates that are part of your day-to-day work, here is a blog featuring editable newsletters.

FAQs on Manual Templates

What is the purpose of a manual?

The purpose of a manual is to provide instructions, guidelines, and information about a particular topic or product. A manual can serve several purposes, including:

Instructional: Manuals provide step-by-step instructions on how to use a product, perform a task, or carry out a process. They may include diagrams, illustrations, or photographs to help users understand the instructions.
Reference: Manuals can serve as a reference guide for users needing specific information about a product or process. They may include a glossary of terms, troubleshooting tips, or frequently asked questions.
Safety: Manuals may include important safety information and warnings, such as properly handling or operating a product to avoid injury or damage.
Compliance: Manuals may be required by law or industry standards to ensure that products or processes are used safely and efficiently. They may include information on regulations or standards that must be followed.

What should be in a business manual?

A business manual should include all the necessary information to run a business effectively and efficiently. Here are some of the key components that should be included in a business manual:

Introduction: This should include an overview of the business, its history, and its goals.
Organizational Structure: This should outline the company's hierarchy, including departments, roles, and reporting lines.
Policies and Procedures: This section should include all the company's policies and procedures, such as HR policies, safety guidelines, and financial procedures.
Job Descriptions: Each job role within the company should have a clear job description outlining the responsibilities and requirements of the position.
Training and Development: This section should outline the company's training and development programs, including any required employee training.
Performance Management: This section should outline the company's performance management process, including how performance is evaluated and feedback is provided.
Communication: This section should outline the company's communication policies and protocols, including how communication is facilitated between employees and external stakeholders.
Business Processes: This section should outline the company's key business processes, including sales, marketing, production, and logistics.
IT and Security: This section should outline the company's IT infrastructure and security protocols, including data protection policies and disaster recovery plans.
Legal and Regulatory: This section should outline the company's legal and regulatory obligations, including compliance with employment laws, industry regulations, and tax requirements.

How to create a business operations procedure manual?

Creating a business operations procedure manual can be a complex process, but here are some general steps you can follow:

Identify the purpose and scope: Determine the purpose of the manual and what it should cover. It could include outlining the business operations, policies and procedures, best practices, and other relevant information.
Create an outline: Create a detailed outline that includes all the sections and sub-sections of the manual.
Gather information: Collect all relevant information for each section and sub-section. It could include interviewing employees, reviewing existing documents, and conducting research.
Draft the content: Write the content for each section and sub-section, ensuring it's clear, concise, and easy to understand. Use headings, bullet points, and other formatting tools to make the content easier to read.
Review and edit: Review the content for accuracy, consistency, and completeness. Edit the content to ensure it's free of errors and meets the business's and its employees' needs.
Organize and format the manual: Organize the content into a logical order, and format it to make it visually appealing and easy to navigate. Use headings, tables of contents, and an index to help users find information quickly.
Test and refine: Test the manual with a small group of employees to ensure it's effective and user-friendly. Make refinements based on their feedback.
Publish and distribute: Publish and distribute the manual to all relevant employees. Make sure it's accessible in print and digital formats and regularly updated to reflect changes in business operations and policies.