Following & Auditing Written Directions

Directions Are More Than a List

Procedures include sequence, dependency, conditions, alternatives, priorities, prohibitions, and stop rules. Reconstruct what to do, when, and under which branch.

• A → B: do A before B.
• IF X → C: do C only under condition X.
• D OR E: either route is allowed.
• NOT F: F is prohibited.
• UNTIL Y: continue until Y occurs.

Chronology differs from priority. “Submit Friday, but report a hazard immediately” gives the hazard priority even if the form instruction appears first.

Alternatives, Conflicts, and Omissions

“Upload the form or deliver a paper copy” gives alternatives. “Keep the lid sealed throughout” and “remove it halfway through” conflict under the same conditions. But different conditions can reconcile apparent conflict: use the north door by day and west door after 6 p.m.

A procedure is incomplete when a required result depends on a missing action. Diagnose internal dependencies, not personal preferences.

Five-Step Audit

1. List actions and keep prohibitions separate.
2. Connect dependencies.
3. Trace every if, when, unless, and otherwise branch.
4. Check whether required final actions can occur.
5. Check whether rules collide under the same condition.

Apply the skill: follow a complete procedure

Reserve a workshop seat 1. Choose a session marked open in the schedule. If it is marked full, select another session or join its waitlist; do not submit payment for a waitlisted session. 2. For an open session, enter your name and session code. 3. If you have a valid fee-waiver code, enter it and wait for “waiver accepted.” Otherwise, pay the displayed fee. 4. Review the session code and contact details. Correct any errors before selecting Submit. 5. Save the confirmation number shown after submission. A waitlist notice is not a confirmed seat.

Apply the same evidence: another decision

Quick Reference

• Number steps, then map conditions and alternatives.
• If opens a branch; otherwise supplies another; later steps may rejoin them.
• Priority can override routine chronology.
• Alternatives are choices; contradictions cannot both be obeyed under the same conditions.
• Diagnose omissions from required dependencies, not outside preferences.