Whether you direct agents yourself or hand them to someone else, everything starts with the list. A good list gets good work. A vague list gets fast, confident work on the wrong thing.
Here's how to write tasks that agents can actually complete.
1. Start with the outcome, not the steps
"Log in to WordPress and click Posts" is a step. "Every service page lists our current service area" is an outcome. Outcomes let the agent, and the person directing it, figure out the best steps, and they make it obvious when the job is done.
2. Say where the work happens
Name the tool. "In our CRM" is better than "in the system." "Our Google Business Profile" is better than "Google." If there are two accounts, say which one.
3. Make sure access exists
An agent can't do work in a tool it can't get into. Before a task goes on the list, make sure there's a seat or a login for it. This is the most common reason tasks stall.
4. Give an example of good
If you want blog posts, point to one you like. If you want a report, sketch the three numbers you actually care about. Examples beat descriptions every time.
5. Define done
"Clean up the CRM" can go on forever. "Merge duplicate contacts and tag every contact by service type" has an end. Done should be something you can check.
6. Separate one-off from recurring
Mark which tasks happen once and which should keep happening. Recurring work gets set up differently so it runs on its own and keeps getting checked.
7. Rank it
Put the list in order. When there's more work than a week allows, and there usually is, the order decides what gets done first.
A messy list is still a good start
You don't need to get all of this right on day one. Part of what we do with managed agents is turn a messy list into clear tasks in the first meeting. Bring what you have to a free call.