We use checklists for preventing errors due to oversight. Aviation industry uses the maximum number of checklists. Pilots do more than 150+ checks before every take off. They use checklists not because they do not know their job, but because there is no room for error.
We use several checklists within projects in order to prevent problems. Some of the commonly used checklists within projects are;
- Requirements review checklists
- Contract review checklists
- Site inspection checklist
- Soil testing checklist
- Design review checklists
- Code review checklists ( for software)
There is a cost associated with designing check lists, training people to collect and analyse data, collecting data, collating data, analyzing data and then taking corrective / preventive actions. All these costs are part of the price of conformance and must be factored into project cost estimates.
Many get confused between the difference of check sheet and check list. The check sheet is one of the seven basic quality tools. While the check sheet is for capturing and categorizing observations, the checklist is intended as a mistake-proofing aid when carrying out multi-step procedures, particularly during the auditing, checking and finishing of process outputs.