Comments on: Giving the checklist its due

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:53:05 +0000

I find checklists encourages one to dream. Like if you had a list of ‘The 10 things I’d do before I’m 30′ or ‘Where my company will be in 10 years’, it might serve as motivation to go out there and do your best.

By: Raji

Raji — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:49:09 +0000

Checklists almost always shows the progress made in a day, its a relief when I see “something” out of it on the days I feel I have done “nothing”.I agree with Mallika that the tick on the checkbox sure is thrilling ! Look forward to the other case studies from the book mentioned !

By: K, Jaya Kumar

K, Jaya Kumar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:53:56 +0000

It is amazing that a simple tool of this nature can have such a major positive impact. In software quality systems checklists are extensively used and have contributed a great deal to the goal of making engineering processes repeatable in terms of quality metrics.
As mentioned in the post people who are extremely good at any one aspect of the engineering process tend to be dismissive of checklists (much like extremely talented performers, who rely on their talent and do not give importance to the drill associated with their particular field and more often than not pay the price over time). However once they realize that the checklist potentially encompasses areas that may be beyond their specific area they tend to appreciate the value much more.

By: Mallika

Mallika — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:19:09 +0000

One of our professors once said to us, “If you write something down, nine out of ten times you will do it.” At that point, the logic seemed ridiculous. But it is true. It works. And then there is the pleasure of checking it off your list — the most amazing feeling ever. Surely, checklists are underrated.

By: S. Yegneshwar

S. Yegneshwar — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:36:28 +0000

This is a great book. One does not expect “checklists” to be such saviors. But that’s exactly what happened in multiple hospitals. Doctors are taught many things and are expected to follow various steps, but given the complexity of their jobs many steps are missed out (how familiar this is!!) which could lead to infections as well as become fatal at times.

I have seen this regularly in testing of software. When checklists are used diligently, the bug density improves drastically. Similarly, even for travel, I find that whenever I use the checklist, I don’t forget little things like toothpaste, razor, etc. And whenever I have not used it, I invariably miss something and feel like a fool when I need it!

The book also talks of how to enforce use of checklists – the organisational dynamics aspects. This is important since checklist usage enforcement can become quite tricky and could ruffle the feathers of prima donnas.

A must read book for all who want to ensure higher quality.