The Checklist Manifesto

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right is the name of a book by Atul Gawande. In it, Dr. Gawande describes the effectiveness of a simple tool like the checklist as a means to manage the great volume and complexity of information that we are faced with in our daily lives.

Dr. Gawande describes several examples of how checklists are used by professionals in a wide variety of industries around the world to ensure safety and quality control. Think of pilots. In fact, pilots have been using checklists since an aviation accident in 1935. He goes on to describe how the adoption of a simple checklist by the World Health Organization has substantially reduced surgical errors and has been heralded as "the biggest clinical intervention in thirty years" (The Independent). I'm convinced, are you?

I have always been a person who makes to-do lists which is in essence a checklist. More recently in my professional life as a Marketer, I have developed a number of checklists to help manage the number of steps involved in what seems like a simple marketing task i.e. a Facebook post.

Why then did I not use my workshop preparation checklist last Monday? After working all day, I packed up my car and headed out on a four hour drive. The next day I was delivering two PAC workshops to 25 health care professionals. About 30 minutes into my drive, I realized I didn't have my speakers. Without the speakers, the audio on the videos would not be loud enough. Without hesitation, I turned the car around and headed for home to get the speakers.

I didn't use the checklist that I've developed because I was in a rush. I did a mental check and said to myself, yup, got everything I'll need. In the end, the failure to use my checklist added an hour on to my already long day. Will I use it next time? You bet. If checklists are good enough for surgeons, they're good enough for me.

Below is the checklist that I have created. If you would like a copy of the checklist in a word document that you can use and modify, please email me at rosanneb@teepasnow.com. I'm happy to share it and to spread the power of checklists! It is a fluid and ever changing document that I am always adding to or deleting from as I see fit. I work independently to deliver workshops so there may be many items that don't apply to you if you work for a facility or agency. Tailor it and make it fit to your own situation!

Please let me know if you notice something that is missing on my checklist. I welcome your feedback and comments!

Booking a Workshop

• Confirm Workshop A, B, or C

• Confirm date, time, venue

• Confirm contact information of organizer

• Confirm cost of workshop

• Confirm number of attendees

• Get all of the above in writing

Pre-Workshop

• Determine learning objectives based on length of workshop

• Assemble PowerPoint slides if using

• Create workshop evaluation sheet (if necessary)

• Print copies of workshop evaluation sheets

• Make copies of instructions for Positive Physical Approach™

• Prepare flip chart papers – Agenda, Parking Lot

• Buy apple sauce, bottled water, spoons, cups, napkins, Dixie cups

• File my receipts

• Prepare, practice and rehearse

Day Before:

• Test projector

• Confirm time and place with organizer

• Review my Workshop Outline

• Make sure that I have the outline and notes that I will need

• Double check my Workshop Kit that I have all supplies

• Props- spoon, brush

Equipment:

• Computer

• Power Cord

• Projector

• Two cords for the projector

• Extension cord

• Slide advancer

• Speakers

• DVDs (if not embedded)

• Mouse

• Mouse pad

Workshop Kit:

• My Banner

• Post-It Notes

• Flip Chart Paper

• Markers

• Business Cards

• Masking tape or tape gun

• Evaluation Sheets

• Pens

• Note paper

• Handout of the slides

• Other handouts I may have

• Workshop Flyers

• My business rack card and holder

• My Name Tag

• Name Tags

• Sharpies

• Clip board

Post Workshop

• Look at Post Workshop Self Review – how did I do?

• Review Evaluation Sheets

• Summarize comments

• Make note of areas for improvement

• File or scan the sheets

• Follow up to any questions on the Parking Lot

• Send thankyou email to workshop organizer

• Send invoice

• Replenish supplies and replace in kit