The rules of a checklist that works
- Fewer than 20 items. Beyond that, people tick everything without looking, and a checklist ticked without looking is worse than none: it gives false confidence.
- Checkable, not a matter of opinion. “Supply temperature: ___ °F” works; “general condition: OK or not OK” does not.
- In the order you walk around the equipment, not the order of the manual.
- With reference values alongside, so the technician can decide without calling.
- With room for the unexpected. The free-text notes field is where the things you did not expect show up.
The usual mistake
Designing it in an office without asking the people who will fill it in. Technicians know which fields are unnecessary, which are missing and in what order things really get done. Half an hour with two of them saves three versions.