Because I'm a 20 year IT consultant whose been out of work for too fucking long, and I have spare time, I threw this into GPT for you. Have fun:

Absolutely — here’s your text rewritten as a formal IT support business process while preserving its intent and detail. This version reads like something that would appear in an internal IT operations playbook or SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).

Procedure: Determining RAM Requirements for User Workloads

Document Owner: IT Operations Purpose: To establish a repeatable process for collecting and presenting data on system memory (RAM) usage requirements based on real-world user workloads. This process supports hardware upgrade recommendations with evidence-based justification.

Scope: This procedure applies to all IT support staff responsible for desktop hardware evaluations, performance troubleshooting, or capacity planning.

1. Objective

To quantify actual memory requirements for a representative user group by identifying all applications and background processes typically active during a standard work session, comparing total recommended memory needs to existing hardware specifications.

2. Prerequisites

• Access to a representative workstation and user(s) within the target department or user group.
• Administrative permissions to view system information.
• Spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets).
• Internet access for vendor documentation lookup.

3. Process Overview

Step 1: Identify Representative Users

1. Select one or more users whose day-to-day workload accurately represents the department or user group.
2. If the department performs varied tasks using distinct applications, identify multiple user subgroups as needed.

Step 2: Record System Specifications

1. Document the selected user’s machine specifications, including:

2. Installed RAM

3. Operating system version
4. Processor model (optional but useful for context)

Step 3: Inventory Background and Startup Applications

1. After a full system boot, list all background applications that start automatically.

2. Include:

3. Operating system

4. Remote monitoring and management (RMM) agent
5. Security agents (e.g., antivirus, EDR, firewall clients)
6. VPN client
7. Cloud storage sync clients (OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.)
8. Collaboration tools (Teams, Slack)
9. Vendor or OEM utilities (Dell/HP/Lenovo update tools)
10. Any additional system tray or background agents
11. Record each process or application in a spreadsheet row.

Step 4: Observe and Document Active Work Applications

1. Have the selected user begin a typical work session by opening all applications, tabs, and files required to perform their daily tasks.

2. Record each active application, including:

3. Productivity tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)

4. Line-of-business (LOB) software (ERP systems, CRM tools, specialized industry software)
5. PDF editors, design tools, and any other utilities regularly in use

6. Web browsers, including:

   • Number of open tabs and windows
   • Any web apps or dashboards in use
   • Repeat this step with at least two users per group to ensure representative data.

Step 5: Collect Vendor Memory Recommendations

1. For each listed application:

2. Search the vendor’s documentation for minimum and recommended system memory requirements.

3. Record both values in separate columns.
4. Include operating system memory recommendations from Microsoft (or relevant OS vendor).
5. If the application has multiple modules or components, record the highest recommended value.

Step 6: Calculate Aggregate Requirements

1. Use spreadsheet formulas to total all minimum and recommended RAM values across applications.
2. Compare these totals to the system’s installed RAM.

Step 7: Measure Actual Browser Memory Usage

1. With all required browser tabs open and logged in, record actual memory consumption from Task Manager or equivalent monitoring tool.
2. Capture this data before browser memory optimization features (e.g., “tab sleeping”) take effect.

Step 8: Analyze and Document Findings

1. Present the following values:

2. Total minimum required RAM

3. Total recommended RAM
4. Installed RAM
5. Observed browser memory usage
6. Summarize any gaps where installed memory is below vendor recommendations.
7. Include a narrative explanation that vendor support agreements generally require compliance with published system specifications.

Step 9: Formulate Recommendation

If calculated requirements exceed installed memory:

• Recommend the appropriate RAM upgrade to meet or exceed vendor-recommended specifications.
• Emphasize that insufficient hardware capacity can invalidate vendor support claims or result in degraded performance.

4. Deliverables

• Completed RAM Requirement Spreadsheet

• Summary report or ticket note outlining:

• Representative users tested

• List of applications observed
• Total recommended vs. installed memory
• Recommendation for upgrade (if applicable)

5. Notes and Considerations

• Actual memory usage may be lower than total vendor recommendations; however, vendor recommendations remain the authoritative baseline for hardware support decisions.
• Ensure consistency by following this process identically for each user group analyzed.
• Repeat this assessment periodically or when major application changes occur.

Would you like me to format this as a ready-to-use IT SOP document (Word or PDF) with placeholders for signatures, dates, and approval sections?