A best practice is a method or technique that has consistently shown superior results. It is the way things are done when people have figured out what works. Not a rule, exactly, but a strong recommendation based on evidence and experience.

Best practices emerge from research, trial and error, and shared knowledge. In medicine, hand-washing is a best practice. In software, code reviews are a best practice. In customer service, responding quickly to complaints is a best practice. The term is sometimes overused. What counts as best practice can vary by context. A practice that works for a large corporation may not work for a small startup. And yesterday’s best practice can become today’s outdated habit. The key is to treat best practices as starting points, not straitjackets. Adopt them, then adapt them. Document what works. Share it. Review it. The moment you stop questioning a best practice is the moment it starts to decay.

Where they come from

• Research and data
• Industry experience
• Regulatory guidance
• Professional associations
• Continuous improvement