Scan barcode
A review by inkerly
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
4.0
This is not a how-to guide on how to create or implement checklists in your life. Rather it’s a groundbreaking novelty on why checklists and routines are so powerful. I loved everything about this book, because the philosophy just makes sense. Something just clicked when reading this book, and the way the author was able to connect the success of demanding industries with the prominence of Routine and structure formulated into quick and simple checklists that any person on the field can do really spoke to me. I think this philosophy not only applies to the medical or it industry like the author demonstrates, it’s applicable to everyday life. As someone with adhd-tendencies checklists and sticking to routines seem to be the key to not overly procrastinating on items that I KNOW how to do.
The only thing that would have made this book great is an actual example of what said checklists look like! An example or two for work and personal would have been great. I took very few notes on this book, but some key things that you need to know about checklists are:
DO:
- Create a paper TEAM wide checklist for critical maintenance
- List key essential items that need to be checked (no more than 1 page)
- Complete the checklist as a team, VERBALLY
- Do a test trial of checklist before implementing it in the real world
- Leave out long words and “how-to” like instructions (meant as a “check” not a manual!)
- Refine checklist based on team feedback
- Get to know/understand your team mates who am you are running a checklist with
- Create a 2nd “Communication” Checklist where you check off who you are to contact if certain elements of main checklist are unclear or go awry.
- In times of crisis or uncertainty, spread the power to the center (give power to people on frontlines to make decisions, rather than depending on distant upper management)
DON’T
- Complete a checklist by yourself, individually for team effort
- Forget to get buy-in from your team
- Skip checklist reviews
- Not ask questions if things are unclear
- “Leave it to the experts/higher up”
- Rely on memory instead of physical checklists
Hope this helps!
The only thing that would have made this book great is an actual example of what said checklists look like! An example or two for work and personal would have been great. I took very few notes on this book, but some key things that you need to know about checklists are:
DO:
- Create a paper TEAM wide checklist for critical maintenance
- List key essential items that need to be checked (no more than 1 page)
- Complete the checklist as a team, VERBALLY
- Do a test trial of checklist before implementing it in the real world
- Leave out long words and “how-to” like instructions (meant as a “check” not a manual!)
- Refine checklist based on team feedback
- Get to know/understand your team mates who am you are running a checklist with
- Create a 2nd “Communication” Checklist where you check off who you are to contact if certain elements of main checklist are unclear or go awry.
- In times of crisis or uncertainty, spread the power to the center (give power to people on frontlines to make decisions, rather than depending on distant upper management)
DON’T
- Complete a checklist by yourself, individually for team effort
- Forget to get buy-in from your team
- Skip checklist reviews
- Not ask questions if things are unclear
- “Leave it to the experts/higher up”
- Rely on memory instead of physical checklists
Hope this helps!