Have you ever felt like managing your workflows is more chaotic than it needs to be? A solid runbook is the ultimate solution—whether you’re launching a new system, handling routine tasks and complex assignments, or responding to unexpected incidents.
It acts as your team’s go-to manual—optimizing operations, improving process efficiencies, and maintaining consistency across tasks.
Runbook creation from scratch takes time and effort, but there’s an easier way. With fully automated runbook templates, you can save time, minimize errors, and focus on what matters most: getting things done smoothly and efficiently.
Let’s explore how these templates can simplify your day-to-day operations and set your team up for success.
11 Free Runbook Templates for Streamlining Processes
- What Are Runbook Templates?
- What Makes a Good Runbook Template?
- 11 Runbook Templates
- 1. The ClickUp Employee Manual Template
- 2. The ClickUp Process and Procedures Template
- 3. The ClickUp Procedure Template
- 4. The ClickUp SOP Template
- 5. The ClickUp Company Processes Document Template
- 6. The ClickUp Standard Operation Procedures Template
- 7. The ClickUp Process Flow Chart Template
- 8. The ClickUp Cybersecurity Action Plan Template
- 9. The ClickUp Incident Action Plan Template
- 10. The ClickUp Workplace Emergency Action Plan Template
- 11. The ClickUp IT Incident Report Template
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Are Runbook Templates?
Runbook templates are pre-designed frameworks that help teams manage operations and complex tasks efficiently. When you use these templates, you have a documented process that reduces guesswork and boosts efficiency.
For example, an IT team can quickly use a runbook template to respond to a security breach. Rather than searching for steps amidst the crisis, the team follows the clear instructions in the template.
It’s like having a playbook that helps you manage risks and minimize disruptions with information at your fingertips.
Runbook templates often include troubleshooting tips for common issues, helping your team resolve problems faster. They also typically integrate with workflow automation tools, making the whole process smoother and more predictable, especially during high-stress situations.
Some of the other benefits of using runbook templates include:
- Facilitating team collaboration with a shared language
- Leveraging collective expertise for better decision-making
- Supporting continuous updates and improvements
- Ensuring compliance and maintaining structure
- Allowing scalability as your business grows
- Providing system recovery plans for emergencies
Even if your team needs to handle an unexpected IT incident management scenario, a full runbook process template can guide them through the response process.
Runbooks can even include visual aids to make complex processes easier to follow.
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Makes a Good Runbook Template?
A good runbook template provides instructions and ensures your team stays in sync, responsive, and efficient no matter what happens!
Let’s explore the key aspects that define an effective runbook template:
- Standard operating procedures (SOPs): Include step-by-step guides that follow consistent SOPs. This makes tasks repeatable and reduces errors
- Actionable steps: Provide precise instructions on what to do at every step. Focus on clarity and simplicity, avoiding jargon that could confuse your team
- Version control: Ensure your runbook is versioned to note updates or changes. This helps teams stay on top of evolving processes
- Built-in error logs: Have a section for error logs and detailed recovery steps. For instance, you might specify commands to retrieve logs from a server
- Technical documentation templates: Standardize your process with technical documentation templates. This ensures uniformity across different tasks
Plus, with automated solutions built into these templates, your team can quickly respond to incidents or updates without manual intervention, increasing response times.
Now that we have a solid understanding of runbook templates let’s explore different examples of specialized runbooks and how each can be useful!
Summarize this article for me please11 Runbook Templates
Now that you know the benefits of a runbook, check out our list of the top 11 runbook templates in ClickUp.
We’ll show you how to make the most of each template, whether you’re creating a specialized runbook routine for your IT team or streamlining your company’s processes.
1. The ClickUp Employee Manual Template
Are you starting a business and need to create an employee training guide? The ClickUp Employee Manual Template is the perfect place to begin. This template helps you outline everything your employees need to succeed and grow.
It includes:
- A starter guide explaining what an employee manual is, why it matters, and how to use the template
- Two main sections with 19 subsections covering company info, role-specific details, and policies like timekeeping, paydays, and more
- Helpful notes, prompts, and questions throughout to inspire ideas for your manual
An employee manual differs from an employee handbook. While the handbook focuses on company-wide policies, the manual provides detailed procedures for specific roles or departments.
Ideal for: Small business owners, HR teams, and managers looking to create clear, comprehensive employee training guides
2. The ClickUp Process and Procedures Template
Imagine you’ve documented all the processes in your business, but how do you keep track of them all? 🤔
That’s exactly why we created the ClickUp Process and Procedures Template. With various views and customization options, it helps you track everything quickly and stay on top of tasks. With this template, you can:
- Access a Getting Started Guide, documentation list, sage board, and process flowchart whiteboard
- Use List and Board Views to centralize and manage project documents, adding key fields like type, priority, and stage
- Tag assignees, stakeholders, and approvers to ensure timely input
- Visualize and map out processes with the Whiteboard view, turning flowchart nodes into interactive tasks
Ideal for: Project managers, operations teams, and businesses seeking to manage process documentation, improve workflow organization, and enhance collaboration
3. The ClickUp Procedure Template
The ClickUp Procedure Template efficiently creates and manages clear, well-structured procedures for any project or task. It defines the process flow, clarifies objectives, and ensures consistency across operations.
With this template, you can:
- Set clear goals and map out steps for every procedure
- Assign tasks, collaborate with stakeholders, and track progress
- Use Statuses, Fields, and Views to manage your process
- Set up notifications and schedule meetings for seamless coordination
With customizable tools, this template streamlines task identification, scope definition, and document management.
Ideal for: Project managers, operations teams, quality assurance specialists, compliance officers, IT teams, and customer service departments looking to standardize, streamline, and track procedures across various industries
📮 ClickUp Insight: When a goal falls short, only 34% of our survey respondents revise their strategy and 33% just give up. 🫢
But failure isn’t the end; it’s feedback.
You can easily unpack what went wrong with ClickUp Mind Maps and Whiteboards, explore new ideas, and chart a smarter course forward. Think of it as your built-in bounce-back plan.
💫 Real Results: ClickUp users say they can take on ~10% more work—because setting realistic goals means more wins and fewer meltdowns.
4. The ClickUp SOP Template
Are you having trouble getting your standard operating procedures (SOPs) off the ground? The ClickUp SOP Template makes it quick and easy to get started! Whether you’re rolling out a new procedure for a small team or an entire company, this SOP template has you covered.
Here’s how this template helps:
- Organize SOPs with a clear structure: Overview, Who, Where, and When
- Simple, manageable sections that are easy for anyone to navigate
- Streamline the process of rolling out new procedures
Ideal for: HR teams, department managers, operations teams, business owners, project managers, quality assurance specialists, compliance officers, and team leads looking to create, organize, and implement clear and effective SOPs
💡 Pro Tip: To develop effective SOP outlines, start with the end goal in mind and work backward, breaking down each step required to reach that outcome.
5. The ClickUp Company Processes Document Template
A well-organized document outlining your company’s processes is key to smooth internal operations and consistent communication—and with the right tools, this becomes even easier. The ClickUp Company Processes Document Template is designed to help you save time while keeping everything in one central hub.
With this template, you can:
- Centralize all your process documents in one place
- Build templates and checklists to onboard and train employees
- Keep everyone updated with the latest instructions
Whether you’re onboarding new hires or simply refreshing policies, this process documentation template makes it all the more efficient and easier to manage!
Ideal for: HR teams, operations managers, training coordinators, business owners, and project managers looking to centralize process documentation, make onboarding easier, and ensure consistent communication across departments
👀 Did You Know? Studies have shown that companies can save up to 50% of their time on document creation using document automation tools.
6. The ClickUp Standard Operation Procedures Template
SOPs are crucial for operational efficiency and ensuring consistency in your business. The ClickUp Standard Operation Procedures Template is designed to help you create clear, organized SOPs from the start.
It lets you:
- Create tasks with statuses like ‘Not Started,’ ‘In Progress,’ and ‘Completed’ to track progress at each step easily
- Add details like ‘Priority Level’ and ‘Due Date’ to tasks, helping you stay organized and manage them more efficiently
- Switch between multiple views—List View for a simple task overview, Gantt View for a timeline, and Workload View to check team capacity
- Automate repetitive tasks like setting reminders for review dates or use AI to summarize task progress
This template takes the guesswork out of SOP creation and management, helping you keep everything on track!
Ideal for: Operations managers, team leads, project managers, quality assurance teams, and business owners who must create, manage, and track SOPs to ensure consistency and operational efficiency
🧠 Fun Fact: SOPs date back to ancient civilizations. The first recorded procedures—detailing medical practices—have been found on ancient Egyptian papyrus.
7. The ClickUp Process Flow Chart Template
If you’re a visual thinker, the ClickUp Process Flow Chart Template might be just what you need. It uses colors and shapes to simplify complex business processes, making them easy to understand and follow.
The template is divided into two sections—players and activities—with each player’s activities represented by shapes in their column. Available in ClickUp Whiteboards, this template, like other useful whiteboard templates, offers unlimited creative possibilities.
You can use this process flow template to:
- Easily map processes with shapes and connectors for clarity
- Organize players and activities for a step-by-step view
- Customize with decision nodes and update the legend for team guidance
- Add various elements like Mind Maps, process maps, images, documents, and even doodles for creativity
Ideal for: HR teams, project managers, operations teams, IT departments, and marketing teams looking to visualize workflows, simplify process documentation, and enhance team collaboration
8. The ClickUp Cybersecurity Action Plan Template
The ClickUp Cybersecurity Action Plan Template makes strengthening your company’s security posture easier. In tech parlance, “security posture” refers to an organization’s overall cybersecurity strength and how well it can predict, prevent, and respond to ever-changing cyber threats.
This fully customizable template helps security teams create clear, effective action plans, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
- Tailor the action plan to fit your specific cybersecurity needs
- Collaborate in real time or asynchronously with your team
- Secure your plan with Privacy and Edit controls in ClickUp Docs
- Streamline the action-planning process to stay proactive against cyber threats
Ideal for: IT security teams, compliance officers, cybersecurity professionals, risk management teams, business leaders, incident response teams, network administrators, and CTOs
9. The ClickUp Incident Action Plan Template
Whether it’s a natural disaster or a sudden change in management, acting quickly and in coordination is crucial to minimize the impact of any unexpected event on your business.
The ClickUp Incident Action Plan Template helps you create a clear, step-by-step guide for handling incidents as they unfold. With sections dedicated to objectives, task details, roles, and resources, this template ensures your team knows exactly who is responsible for what during an emergency.
Here’s what to do:
- Use the action plan section to outline immediate steps, like shutting down affected servers or systems
- List the equipment, teams, and resources needed for an efficient response
Ideal for: Emergency response teams tackling real-time crises, IT departments handling incidents like system failures or data breaches, and HR teams managing workplace safety or urgent situations
10. The ClickUp Workplace Emergency Action Plan Template
Emergencies can strike without warning, making preparedness essential for protecting your team and workplace. The ClickUp Workplace Emergency Action Plan Template provides everything you need to ensure safety, from evacuation routes and assembly points to clear role assignments for emergency leaders.
Here’s how to create an effective workplace emergency plan with ClickUp:
- Outline potential emergencies and response strategies in ClickUp Docs
- Assign responsibilities to team members using ClickUp Tasks,
- Design evacuation routes with the ClickUp Dashboard
- Automate alerts and reminders during crises with ClickUp Automations
- Track preparedness progress using ClickUp Goals, which allows you to break down bigger tasks into smaller chunks and helps track progress
- Schedule and track emergency drills with ClickUp Milestones
This template simplifies emergency planning and incorporates essential tools for disaster recovery plans and process improvement.
Ideal for: Emergency response coordinators, facility managers, HR teams, safety officers, operations managers, business continuity planners, team leads, and workplace safety coordinators
11. The ClickUp IT Incident Report Template
Every IT glitch tells a story; capturing it is key to preventing the next one. The ClickUp IT Incident Report Template offers an easy way to document everything from system failures to cybersecurity breaches and IT tasks.
It includes dedicated fields for incident details, root cause analysis, and recovery actions to streamline responses and mitigate risks. Here’s how to make the most of your IT incident reports:
- Analyze root causes to identify recurring issues and prevent future problems
- Track resolution times using ClickUp’s Project Time Tracking to measure efficiency
- Optimize your processes by refining response strategies based on data from past incidents
Ideal for: IT teams, system administrators, network engineers, cybersecurity specialists, incident response teams, and service desk managers looking to document, analyze, and improve their incident response processes
💡 Pro Tip: Incorporate incident reporting into your broader business process automation strategy. This ensures system failures and breaches are resolved swiftly and seamlessly, aligning with your IT recovery and risk mitigation goals.
Summarize this article for me pleaseCreate Runbooks That Work with ClickUp
Runbooks are vital in helping IT professionals optimize their processes and handle incidents quickly. They provide clear, standardized steps to follow in any situation, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
Keeping these runbooks up to date is essential for any successful IT team, and ClickUp makes this task easy.
With ClickUp, you can easily create, distribute, and manage your runbooks. It automatically generates step-by-step instructions and captures screenshots to document every process.
Plus, ClickUp offers a variety of templates, allowing you to customize your runbooks to fit your team’s needs.
And guess what? It’s free! Sign up to use ClickUp now.
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
