Tool 28: Checklist

AKA

N/A

Classification

Idea Generating (IG)

Tool description

A checklist is a useful tool for guiding a team's activities and progress, providing important steps and information in a procedure, collecting and organizing data, and helping in the idea generation process for product development and problem solving. Checklists can also be useful as work instructions and safety checks.

Typical application

• To prevent the omission of critical steps in a process or procedure.

• To question if certain items or ideas have been completed or considered.

• To collect and organize data for problem analysis.

Problem-solving phase

	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
→	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
4	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
	Project management
2	Manufacturing
	Marketing/sales
5	Administration/documentation
3	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
1	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Data Collection Strategy

• Observation

• Questionnaires

• Critical Incident

• Thematic Content Analysis

after

• SCAMPER

• What-If Analysis

• SWOT analysis

• Stimulus Analysis

• Problem Specifications

Notes and key points

• Some of the most common checklists cover the following areas:

  • New product development

  • Problem prevention

  • Idea generation for solutions

  • Start-up and progress

  • Selection or prioritization

  • Work instructions

  • Data collection and recording

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 As a first step, the purpose and intended use of the checklist is determined.

• STEP 2 Research is then performed to ensure that the developed checklist covers all requirements, provides all options, or asks for specific data to be recorded. See example Checklists for Teaming.

• STEP 3 When constructing the checklist, provide space for checking off completed steps, ideas, or data items, as shown in the example.

• STEP 4 Ask subject matter experts to review the final draft of a checklist to ensure that nothing of importance has been overlooked or omitted.

• STEP 5 Perform final revisions and pilot the checklist.

Example of tool application

Checklists for Teaming

√	Team Start-Up Sequence	√	Team Norms	√	Generate Ideas for Solutions
	Organizational readiness?		Start and end on time		Change materials
	Top management support?		No off-side conversations		Change work instructions
	A champion coordinating?		Participate—active contribution		Change color or symbols
	Volunteers for teams?		Assists keeping team focused		Change shape or format
	Schedule and facility ready?		Avoid interrupting others		Change size or amount
	Team training available?		Equal status for all		Change design or style
	Team role assignments made?		No evaluation of team members		Change person or place
	Team norms established?		Allow process flexibility		Rearrange sequence
	Mission and goals developed?		Be open to new ideas		Rearrange parts
	Problem specification stated?		Help facilitate
	Team meetings scheduled?		Complete assigned action item