In this article we will look at a sample checklist. This is the name for a convenient and understandable way to control any complex or multi-stage operation. The range of applications of checklists is so wide that information about them will be useful at the same time creative people, pupils and students, entrepreneurs, company managers and specialists in various fields.

Even if the concept of a “checklist” seems unfamiliar to you, you’ve almost certainly encountered it more than once. Most often, this is the name given to a list of sequential actions (or steps) that must be taken to achieve a goal. It can also be used to check that all points or operations have been completed to solve a problem.

Simply put, it is a list of actions that need to be performed one after another in order to arrive at the final result.

The scope of use of such sheets is so wide that we can say with a high degree of confidence: every person has ever made a “to-do list” for himself.

However, in this article we will look at how checklists help in entrepreneurship and organizing the work of individual employees and entire companies.

A “checklist” is a list of actions that need to be performed one after another in order to achieve the final result.

In what areas are checklists used?

The benefits of checklists for production have already been appreciated by many entrepreneurs, managers and employees. When it is necessary to work in multitasking mode (and in modern conditions This happens almost all the time), a to-do list helps to monitor the execution of all operations. In this case, all goals and objectives do not need to be kept in mind.

The most common checklists in the most different forms can be found in:

• aviation (pilots check the readiness of the aircraft before takeoff according to a special procedure);
• construction;
• medicine (from procedures to complex surgical operations);
• accounting and auditing;
• management, including sales;
• education.

Thus, checklists are used in areas where constant concentration is required, and the success of the entire event (and in aviation and medicine, people’s lives) depends on the completion of each item. Let's look at individual types of checklists.

Using checklists in specific industries

Originating in the aviation industry, checklists have long since outgrown their use in just one industry. Despite the belief of some people that the most important things cannot be forgotten, practice shows the opposite. IN modern world There are a lot of distractions, so sometimes even an action that has been brought to automaticity is performed with an error. To avoid this, it is wise to use checklists. How are they used in different fields?

Food Service Checklists

To establishments catering checklists are used constantly and not just once. For example, a restaurant opening checklist helps managers and employees prepare the establishment for business by ensuring accepted standards of service.

For each shift, a separate sheet is usually prepared, indicating the number, date, and name of the manager. In that case checklist - actually a reporting document. If something does not go according to plan, the manager can study it and understand what mistakes the manager made.

1. Checking the event plan for the day (birthdays, anniversaries).
2. Checking cash at the cash register.
3. Organization of cleaning.
4. Availability of report sheets in the kitchen and toilet.
5. Checking all employees (lateness, appearance etc).
6. Start of kitchen work.

Of course This list is approximate, each restaurant develops its own. A separate procedure can be developed for each position, for example, a checklist for restaurant waiters, for kitchen workers, etc. Such documents are usually stored for a short time, no more than a month (in case any problematic situation arises).

In catering establishments, checklists are used constantly and not in single copies.

Checklists in the cleaning industry

In the professional cleaning industry, checklists are also widely used. For example, a cleaning checklist. A sample of such a list can be made in several versions: as an action plan and as a reporting document. Let's consider both options.

As a plan of action, cleaning checklists are commonly used by professional cleaning companies when providing services to organizations and private clients. Since in this case we are talking about professional cleaning, the list of actions helps to achieve the required level of quality. May include the following items:

1. Dust collection, wet cleaning, furniture care.
2. Window washing.
3. Washing the floor.

The purpose of this sheet is to help the employee navigate the place, fulfill all the points and provide cleaning services with the highest quality possible so that the client does not have any complaints. At the client's request, other tasks may be included in the checklist.

Also checklists can be used as reporting documents, for example, for cleaning toilets. Almost all people have encountered such sheets. They usually hang in the restrooms of cafes and restaurants. The items on such checklists do not contain a list of tasks, but the cleaning time. After completing the cleaning, the employee puts his signature next to each item. Such a document helps the manager of the establishment to monitor and verify the timely completion of cleaning.

Checklists in sales

Any employees involved in active sales should use checklists to improve their performance. First of all, checklists are needed to organize communication with the client, especially over the phone.

Most “cold” calls end in failure because the manager does not communicate with the client, but reads out the finished text to him. Moreover, managers even have a template for every question or “objection.” This is convenient in work - you don’t need to think and compose your answer - but in practice it is absolutely useless. Clients don't like this approach.

A checklist can help create more lively conversations, which means you'll be more likely to make a sale. The sales manager's checklist should include the following items:

1. Acquaintance.
2. Purpose of the call.
3. Offer.
4. Clarification of details, dialogue with the client, responses to objections.
5. Sale (invitation, etc.).
6. Parting.

This option is better than a ready-made sales algorithm, when the manager reads out template phrases in a monotone voice. It may be more difficult to work with in the early stages, but in the end it will be more effective since it is more similar to individual approach to the client.

Also, checklists can be used to evaluate the performance of not an individual manager, but the entire sales department. In this case, they contain questions like:

1. Has the company developed a marketing strategy?
2. Has the sales plan been communicated to employees?
3. Have sales algorithms and employee checklists been developed?
4. Is there a client database?
5. How many calls do employees make per day?
6. How many calls does each employee make per sale?
7. How long does an average telephone conversation last?
8. How the sales plan is fulfilled (per day, per week, per month).

Thus, constant monitoring and methodical implementation of all points will increase the efficiency of each employee, especially in the sales field. It is important that organizational leaders take checklist preparation seriously and instill the habit of using this type of time management in all employees.

Any employees involved in active sales should use checklists to improve their performance.

How a checklist helps mystery shoppers

The task of a mystery shopper is a comprehensive assessment of the work of an individual seller and the entire store as a whole. In this case, you cannot do without a checklist of measured parameters. Typically, such lists rate items on a five-point scale or simply “yes/no.” The mystery shopping checklist should include the following items:

1. Buyer contact:
   • the seller comes up first and introduces himself;
   • friendly, polite;
   • neat appearance;
   • interested, smiling.
2. Possession of information:
   • identifies the buyer’s needs by asking questions, including open and clarifying ones;
   • talks about products that interest the client;
   • offers analogues that the buyer does not know about;
   • confidently knows material about products.
3. Presentation of company services:
   • talks about current promotions and discounts;
   • offers to take part in loyalty programs (issue a card, receive bonuses, subscribe to the newsletter).
4. Dealing with objections:
   • does not speak negatively about the buyer’s opinion, does not call it erroneous;
   • does not argue openly, offers an alternative;
   • expresses reasoned counterarguments.
5. Completion of sale:
   • summarizes the dialogue;
   • informs about additional properties of the product that were not discussed in the previous conversation;
   • tells the procedure for making a purchase (where is the fitting room, where is the cash register, where is the delivery area, etc.);
   • thanks for your purchase and choosing the store.

Both simpler and more complex versions of mystery shopping checklists are possible. However The more details the mystery shopper provides, the better., therefore it is better to develop a fairly voluminous and detailed questionnaire about the work of store employees.

Checklists in personal time management

Checklists can be used not only to organize the work of enterprises, but also in personal planning. For example, if it is not customary for a company to use checklists, but an employee sees a need for it, he must create such a checklist for himself.

This will simplify the current work and allow you to identify the most effective algorithms for performing certain operations. Working according to a checklist will relieve some of the psychological stress - even a complex project, broken into parts, becomes more feasible. And the absence of the risk of forgetting anything is a pleasant bonus when planning.

Working according to a checklist will relieve some of the psychological stress - even a complex project, broken into parts, becomes more feasible.

How to correctly create a checklist

In order for the checklist to work “as it should”, you need to compose it correctly. Here are some recommendations:

1. The list should be simple and short. There is no need to compose a detailed essay, you need to highlight the main thing and write down as much as possible in simple words. With one glance at the sheet it should be clear what to do.
2. The points must be consistent and interconnected. Remember, this is an algorithm for achieving only one goal. The checklist assumes a step-by-step approach to the task. That is, proceed to the second point only after completing the first.
3. Make edits. Record all changes, modifications and improvements in the checklist.
4. If you are creating a personal checklist, make it convenient for you personally. Use highlighting, italics, and capital letters. In this case, you don't have to worry about how clear the worksheet is to other people.
5. The checklist should fit on 1 sheet if you make it in paper form or fit into the size of your computer or phone screen without scrolling if you prefer the electronic version. Optimal - 5-7 points.

Where to keep the checklist

Depending on the purpose of checklists, there may be several options for storing them:

1. Personal checklists are stored in planners, phones and computers. The simplest checklists “what not to forget when leaving home” are appropriate to place at the front door.
2. Work and official checklists of employees should be placed in plain view at the workplace or in electronic form on the computer desktop.
3. Collective checklists should be posted in places where they are accessible to all employees involved in their implementation.

Conclusion

A checklist is an excellent option for planning work and increasing its efficiency. Such checklists have found application in virtually all areas of activity: from aviation and medicine to catering and professional cleaning. A well-designed algorithm will help you approach even the most serious and multi-stage tasks without fear.

We surveyed more than 2,000 managers and identified actions that will make your work as effective as possible. Download and save the five most necessary checklists for a manager.

No. 1. Checklist to take with you to the interview

Will help:

• select only the people you need;
• make an informed decision during an interview;
• do not fall for the candidate's charm.

No. 2. Checklist for effective delegation of authority

Will help:

• determine how effectively you delegate authority;
• detect and correct errors in delegation;
• change the approach to task delegation.

No. 3. Checklist for identifying errors in the company's work

Will help:

• find the weaknesses of the sales department;
• correct possible management errors by the end of the year;
• increase the company's key indicators.

No. 4. Checklist for checking your commercial proposal

Will help:

• identify the weaknesses of your commercial proposal;
• highlight your commercial offer among others;
• achieve a conversion rate of up to 50% from your commercial offer.

No. 5. Checklist: find out if you are facing a tax audit

Will help:

• determine whether your company is facing an unscheduled inspection;
• avoid possible problems with tax authorities;
• protect yourself from on-site tax audits.

Accidentally discovered an interesting shaping tool good habits. First I’ll tell you the story, and then I’ll give you the instrument itself.

I encountered this problem

I started going to bed late, often after dawn. As a result, I got up late, didn’t get enough sleep, and felt worse all day. By the evening I was very tired, but could not sleep and stared at the phone. It was a vicious circle.

I tried setting alarms and reminders

I started with a regular alarm clock for the evening. The signal meant it was time to go to bed. But the alarm clock didn't help. It caught me in the middle of something, and I turned it off, first with slight irritation, and then completely automatically.

I tried to put an event in my calendar with a notification on the screen, in my email and phone:

Now you stop what you are doing there and go to sleep. Otherwise P*****C!

Notifications came to all devices at once and sounded like a gun salute. At first, this made an impression on the brain, and it obeyed. Then a couple of times the salvo caught me on Skype, which could not be quickly interrupted, and I had to ignore the notifications. Notifications no longer seem mandatory. Soon the perceived meaning changed to “you need to sleep within an hour.” An immediate reaction to them was no longer required, so the brain quickly learned to ignore them completely. Failure!

It was time to change tactics.

I decided to collect information

I started an A4 piece of paper with 4 lines:

• Woke up refreshed
• Got up before 10 o'clock
• Lay down up to 24 hours
• Lay down without screens

I put this piece of paper with a pen on the table in the bathroom. In the morning, the brain saw a leaf and automatically put 4 squiggles.

Nothing happened for several weeks, and then the magic began.

1. I noticed and felt the connection: “I went to bed without screens and woke up rested.” It gave me strength.
2. I understood the connection between the leaf and reality. The excitement of managing numerical metrics emerged.
3. I couldn't easily ignore the reminders anymore. Previously, a missed reminder would disappear forever. The next day a new one arrived, and just as quickly disappeared without a trace. And now everything goes into the table. Missed reminders do not disappear, but are added up.

This mechanism turned out to be extremely successful

“Mood” became a separate metric. So I realized that 15 minutes of meditation a day consistently and reliably increases my mood by one. Music, communication with friends, a powerful motorcycle and active sports also do this. For me, this is no longer “book” knowledge, but “internal” knowledge. That is, those on the basis of which I act.

Then the mechanism moved online

Going online is a big risk, because the leaf itself catches your eye every morning, and you have to specifically remember about the program. I would start missing days and the system would collapse. So I replaced the leaf with the old iPad, left only 1 program there and put it in exactly the same place. For reliability, I created a daily task “Fill out a personal checklist.”

There was no special application in the app store, but Google Sheets did a good job with the function. See screenshot at the beginning of the post.

Result

6 months have passed, the flight is normal. There are no more problems with sleep, almost all other indicators are in the green zone. Average mood increased from 5-6 to 7-8. And for me these are not just numbers!)

Here is the final table template, you can copy and adapt it for yourself. The highlighting is adjusted line by line using conditional formatting. But a piece of paper and a pen are cooler, honestly.