Quick Reference Guide
A concise document that summarizes key information, procedures, or commands in one to two pages for easy access during task execution, serving as immediate performance support.
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What is a Quick Reference Guide?
A Quick Reference Guide (QRG) is a short document that gives you the key information you need to do a task, right when you need it. Think of it as a cheat sheet for work. Instead of digging through a 50-page manual to remember one step, you glance at a one or two page guide and keep moving. QRGs are meant for people who already know the basics but need a quick reminder.
These guides fill a specific gap in how teams document their work. Training manuals teach you how things work from scratch. A quick reference guide, on the other hand, assumes you've been trained and just need a nudge in the right direction. They skip the theory and background, getting straight to what you actually need to do. As a type of job aid, QRGs provide performance support right when employees need it most.
What makes a good quick reference guide? It shows up exactly when you need it. That might be a laminated card stuck to your workstation, a PDF saved to your desktop, or something you can pull up on your phone. The point is zero friction. Companies rely on QRGs to keep procedures consistent, cut down on mistakes, and help people get things done faster without interrupting their work.
Key Characteristics of Quick Reference Guide
- Short and Sweet: One to two pages, tops. A QRG includes only the steps, commands, or details you actually need. Nothing extra.
- Built for People Who Already Know the Basics: This isn't a training document. Quick reference guides assume you've learned the process before and just need a quick refresher while you're working.
- Always Within Reach: Good QRGs live where you need them. Printed and pinned to a wall, saved as a PDF on your desktop, or embedded right inside the software you're using. No hunting around.
- Focused on One Thing: Each guide tackles a specific task or workflow. You won't find unrelated information cluttering it up, so you can find what you need fast.
- Easy to Scan: Bullet points, numbered steps, tables, screenshots, highlighted text. QRGs use visual formatting so you can grab the info at a glance instead of reading through paragraphs. They're similar to a cheat sheet, but typically more process-oriented.
Quick Reference Guide Examples
Example 1: Software Keyboard Shortcuts
A company rolls out new project management software and puts together a one-page QRG with the most-used keyboard shortcuts, grouped by function. People tape it next to their monitors or keep the PDF on their desktop. It saves them from constantly poking through help menus every time they forget a command.
Example 2: Customer Service Response Templates
A support team creates a two-page quick reference guide with response templates for common questions: shipping inquiries, return requests, basic troubleshooting. Reps pull it up during calls so they don't have to memorize every script. Calls go faster and the messaging stays consistent.
Example 3: Equipment Troubleshooting Steps
A factory laminates a QRG and posts one at each machine station. It walks operators through troubleshooting the five most common equipment problems using a simple decision tree. Instead of waiting around for maintenance, operators can often fix issues themselves and get back to work.
Quick Reference Guide vs Cheat Sheet
People often use these terms interchangeably, and honestly, there's a lot of overlap. But if you want to get technical about it, there are some differences.
| Aspect | Quick Reference Guide | Cheat Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Walks you through completing a task step by step | Quick lookup for specific facts or shortcuts |
| Format | Organized around a workflow or sequence | Usually just lists or tables |
| When to use | Multi-step processes where you need reminders | Looking up individual commands, facts, or formulas |
How Glitter AI Helps with Quick Reference Guide
Making a quick reference guide the old way takes forever. You document each step, grab screenshots, format everything nicely. With Glitter AI, you just record yourself doing the task once. The platform turns that recording into clear, visual documentation that you can export as a polished QRG right away.
Keeping guides up to date is usually where things fall apart. Processes change, but nobody updates the docs. Glitter AI makes it easy to re-record steps or edit specific parts when things change, so you're not starting over from scratch. Teams can create quick reference guides across the whole organization without needing a technical writer or designer on staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Quick Reference Guide?
A Quick Reference Guide (QRG) is a one or two page document that summarizes the key steps, commands, or info you need to do a task. It's meant for people who already know the basics and just need a quick reminder while they work.
What is an example of a Quick Reference Guide?
Some common quick reference guide examples: a one-pager listing keyboard shortcuts for your software, a laminated troubleshooting card posted at a machine, or a two-page doc with customer service response templates organized by question type.
Why are Quick Reference Guides important?
QRGs help people work faster by putting critical info right at their fingertips. They cut down on errors because everyone follows the same steps. And they save time since nobody has to dig through long manuals to find what they need.
How do I create a Quick Reference Guide?
Start by picking a task people do often. Pull out just the essential steps or info. Organize it logically with bullet points, numbered steps, or screenshots so it's easy to scan. Keep it to one or two pages and put it somewhere accessible. Tools like Glitter AI can speed this up by turning screen recordings into ready-to-use QRGs.
What is the difference between a Quick Reference Guide and a manual?
A manual teaches you everything from the ground up with background info and detailed explanations. A quick reference guide assumes you already know the basics and just gives you a condensed version for quick lookup while you're working.
Turn any process into a step-by-step guide