Check lists are essential, not just for abandoning ship.

Two basic opinions jump out of the woodwork when the word CHECKLIST comes up: they are essential, or they are not for me. Who needs them?

Unfortunately the word CHECKLIST has got itself a bad name. It conjures up clipboards, yes/no answers, arbitrary backstops where brains are not available. Books have been written on what they are, the pros’ and con’s, even different ‘types’ such as READ-DO, DO CONFIRM etc. In fact after reading a 300 page volume about checklists it might turn off the almost convinced.

So when do I need one? Whenever duties exceed the memory bank, the delegation of the memory bank is not possible, and the risks of missing a duty too high. You need a recordable form of ensuring duties will be, or have been completed. Imagine forgetting those flowers? Or the ballast valve?

        So, some points to help you:

1) Don’t call it a Checklist if that sounds wrong, call it a prompt schedule, a To-do jogger, Task Aid.
    Anything as long as it works for you.

2) Assess the risks of missing a point but avoid over-complication.

3)  Be prepared to improve it, add to it, modify it. Then reference and date it. This prevents using an old one.

         4). Keep it simple but thorough. Go careful choosing a pre-made template. There are thousands out there, and 

      more time can be spent un-designing their catch-all detail.

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