Importance of Checklists

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My dad died recently and while going over all his books of all sorts of subjects, I came across a rather boring looking book titled The Checklist Manifesto. I began browsing through it and had an ‘ah ha’ moment.

We all know something about checklists but we all use them to varying or no degrees. Well, I will save you from buying the book and give you a few outtakes of how powerful using checklists for tasks, tasks that involve a bit more than making breakfast. This isn’t about having a daily list at your workplace or home for tasks to complete, though that is certainly a simple and powerful habit.

The following paragraph lays out why all pilots at the controls of any type plane use checklists on every flight.

In 1935, at the Wright Field in Ohio, the Army Air Force held a tryout among aircraft companies for its new bomber, Boeing’s B17. The plane was a complicated one and even though the pilot was highly trained and experienced after the plane took off, it stalled, crashed and burst into flames. This was all due to a simple routine step that had been forgotten. Due to this tragedy, pilots began to adopt the use of checklists.

I embarked on a long solo bike ride in the Adirondacks a few weekends ago. Due to not bringing enough food and riding through a very rural area, I barely completed the ride, totally running out of steam. I simply didn’t pack enough food! I now have my bike riding checklist hanging next to my gear closet.

Checklists provide the ability to be more disciplined and more creative. This sounds like a weird combination, but it’s true. Humans aren’t good at discipline. It isn’t natural so we have to make an effort if we want to improve. It is essential to be disciplined because without it, things can go very, very wrong. If a pilot forgets to flip a switch, lives are at stake. The same goes for a doctor who forgets to wash his hands. In business, money, and reputation is at stake.

If a development team forgets to run a test, they can release a product that malfunctions and loses company customers and profits.

If discipline, through a checklist, is adhered to, things tend to go right. People don’t have to think about each and every step. The steps are spelled out. By taking these little yet essential pieces of information off of your mind, you are able to concentrate on other things, stretch your mind and be much more creative.

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-RR