Checklists get a bad rap.

Checklists are used by pilots, surgeons, extravagant event planners and more.

It’s not about being admin focused, it’s about how important it is that all the things get done to deliver results. To deliver results, a checklist can focus on actions that when consistently done lead to insights and the desired results.

When building accountability with a team, encouraging them to do checklists for the activities they need to do can do a couple things for them:

Clarify critical actions (by having a list of what to do)
Build accountability (by having a record of what was done)
Increase confidence (by seeing the progressing they are making)

Checklists are a tool. They can take different forms at different stages. Don’t underestimate the value of a simplified checklist to clarify actions, build accountability and increase confidence.