The Power of Checklists

Ten years ago, I walked on to a stage in an event organised by my University. I was supposed to deliver the Vote of Thanks. Being one of the organising committee members, I knew everyone who did help and what they did. So I did the talk and came down stairs. Later, I was talking to one of the lecturers, he told me that I did not thank the Dean of the Faculty. Also later I realised that I didn’t even mention some of the lecturers who helped for certain work. Turns out I did not actually remember everyone who did help and what they did. Even though I knew the ones I am supposed to mention I forgot to do that. I was tired after days of late night organising work. So I might have missed those names. It did not make any significant problems.

From that day onwards, I created a system to prevent such mistakes. I started creating checklists for all the tasks I am supposed to do. When I am delivering a talk or a conference presentation, writing a paper, submitting an application, and conducting a lecture, I always have a checklist with me. If I am delivering a talk, I make sure I will not miss any points I should talk about and I will not forget any name that I must mention. If you are also having troubles remembering things, the best solution is having a thorough checklists. I even have well set checklists developed over long period of times based on my experience. Check the screenshot of my research paper writing checklist below. I copy paste this checklist into the notion (a note taking and planning app) page where I keep track of that particular paper’s progress. Then I check each and everything when I am writing and proof reading. I do the same for works like optimising a PCR assay, preparing for an exams and making an online course video etc.

Using checklists are not a new thing. This has been used in almost all the fields. The surgeons check a thorough checklist before starting a surgery. Pilots go through a checklist before taking off. There are some inspiring stories where pilots were able to safely land the planes in accidents or malfunctions thanks to the checklists they have developed and following those checklists to the point (check on 2009 **Hudson River plane crash). Atul Gawande, in the book Checklist Manifesto also talks about how they could reduce the mortalities during surgeries by following a thorough checklist. We are all flawed. You may have a good memory. But under certain situations you might not act with your full capacity. So a checklist will always be a best friend to you in any situation. There are a few things you must remember.

1. Pause points (From Atul Gawande’s book) - Keep in mind about the times you have to pause and consult a check list (e.g. before performing a PCR assay, before starting a surgery, before starting a presentation, before submitting an application)
2. Make it short - As Atul Gawande suggests, it being too long makes it less likely to be followed. However, it depends on your need. If you are delivering a vote of thanks and need to remember the names or writing a research paper, the length is not a problem (as long as ), because you are following through it as you do the work. But if it is a surgery or hiking and u just need to check the availability of required things, being short is important
3. The list must be constantly updated - I have added many things to my check lists over the time. Things I learn by mistakes and by talking to others. That has made my checklists very thorough and my work very effective.

Having such checklists not only help you be effective, it also makes you a good trainer. If I want to train a student in PCR, I have a clear-cut idea about how to start and finish. My instructions are well articulated due to the checklists I have developed over the time. Also, it helps you to be fool proof in your work. So the best example is, when I delivered a vote of thanks in a recent event, some people started blaming that I did not mention them after helping. All I had to do was pulling out the event video and point out to the time stamp where I thanked them.