The checklist is one of the most high powered productivity tool ever discovered.
Simply put, a checklist is a list of items for consideration. They can come in several forms, like a list of questions or actions to be carried out. People accept the results of a completed checklist as reliable and true. They can be accompanied by checking boxes when that step or task has been completed. Thus, it is used as a memory aid or a job tool to make sure all issues have been considered.
Sometimes the reason we fail to complete memory tasks effectively and adequately is that the great amount of information in our head becomes unmanageable. People with complex jobs hold enormous amounts of knowledge and experience. These highly trained, highly skilled people are usually also the hardworking people with important or critical responsibilities. Over time, they become vulnerable to making mistakes when the need to apply this knowledge and experience comes. This is where a simple checklist can make them better at their jobs without having to spend unnecessary amounts of time on something.
Using a checklist in the workspace can help onboard new clients, integrate them into NetSuite, and even obtain the necessary vendor and customer information from a client. Checklists can improve performance on the job and help people achieve more consistent results. They are explicit reminders of the minimum necessary steps. They are methods of verification, and they support a discipline toward higher performance. Checklists are designed carefully to ensure basic checks are always completed before performing an important task.
What a sufficient checklist looks like: It is unique to its users. Having a standard checklist is a start, but users need to customize it to fit their exact requirements and workflow. A good checklist promotes a culture of teamwork and discipline. Checking off boxes is not the ultimate goal. A good checklist is reviewed and refined. The only thing constant is change. A good checklist is precise, efficient, and easy to use, even in the most difficult situations. It should be practical enough to remind users of only the most important steps. It should not replace experience, training, or skills.
All in all, checklists help us to move quickly, be more efficient, and save time. This in turn allows us to focus on more creative activities. It helps us be more specific and be more confident when delegating tasks. Evidence shows that the simple checklist can help us: onboard new clients, integrate them into NetSuite, and even obtain the necessary accounts payable information from a business, to name a few examples. It also enables us to take better care of our clients.
