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OCTOBER 2026 I I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE 107 "procedure" and sequence as captured in the new document. Have that individual point to the condi- tions being described, and explain what action he would take. Any place where he hesitates is some- thing to go back and ask the original operator to get further clarification and guidance. The finished product does not have to become one oversized procedure. Some information may belong in a formal work instruction, while some may fit better in a troubleshooting guide, a setup check- list, or a short training document with photos. Put each piece of knowledge where an operator is most likely to need it. Ownership and Continuous Improvement Finally, assign the document an owner and a rea- son for review. Processes change, equipment is re- paired, chemistries are updated, and the operator's own thinking continues to develop. Bring the docu- ment back out after a significant problem, a process change, or a training session. Ask what the team learned and whether the document could have helped them reach the answer sooner. You won't capture 20 years of plating experience in a single AI document, but if you can save future operators from learning every lesson the hard way and wasting countless hours of production time, you've made a worthwhile start. The important part is to begin before knowledge walks out the door. Pick one process, schedule the first conversation and listen closely. The first interview will not capture everything, but it will show the team what is hiding between the written steps once AI organizes the conversation. Once people see the value, the next conversation becomes easier. Sean Patterson is the founder of CrossGen AI. He previously served as COO and CTO at Summit Interconnect, held senior multisite roles at TTM Tech- nologies, was CRO of Nano Dimension, an Amazon executive, and is a U.S. Navy submarine veteran.