“For the subscription, we will give you a check list”, “yes, you need to prepare for vacation and make a check list”, “colleagues have shared the check list to make it easier for you to enter the project”. This word has already become mainstream and is used in various contexts.

Checklist (English checklist) – a structured list of tasks, elements, properties, factors, a useful tool that helps to simplify and organize work. He moved to Russian, of course, from English.

Hello everyone, I’m Sasha Kombarov, executive director at the web studio. We like to take on complex, non-standard projects. To develop a high-quality product, we draw up checklists for each stage of development. We decided to tell you exactly how we do it and what it gives. And at the end of the material, I share good checklists.

Where did the check sheets come from?

The origin of this handy tool is connected with aviation. In the 1930s, the US Army ordered new aircraft – the Boeing Model 299 heavy bomber. Tests of the prototype were unsuccessful: the device stalled in the air, fell and burst into flames. The brand immediately hung over the new plane: a person cannot control it. There is some truth in this, as control was more difficult than other aircraft at that time. The manufacturer of the aircraft did not give up and did not take them out of production, but invented checklists with clear instructions on what, how and when to do to the pilots. And even now pilots use checklists:

Why use a checklist?

Aviation and the IT sphere are similar in many ways. Forgot about some important stage of development, did not test the functionality, missed one of the small tasks – wait for problems at the end. As in piloting an airplane, it is important to perform the task equally well. Checklists help with this.

Do not forget that the capabilities of the human brain are not unlimited. Sometimes it is difficult to keep the necessary information in the mind in a correct and structured order. The success of work on the project in our team directly depends on all stages, starting from pre-project analytics and ending with layout and testing.

Checklists help to make the work meet the standards, without missing important details.

We work with check sheets for the entire project and separate ones for each stage: from pre-project analytics to project verification after launch.

As implemented on projects

We use Google services in our work. Checklists are compiled in Google Sheets, it is convenient, access is available to everyone who participates in the project.

What do our checklists consist of?

• In the table, we describe the stages of development: from pre-project analytics to deployment and launch of a web service or mobile application.

• We divide each of the stages into sub-stages. For example, the “Analytics” stage includes such sub-stages as pre-project analytics, development of an interactive prototype, and preparation of a technical task. We also detail each sub-stage.

• In front of each sub-stage, we prescribe the main tasks. Yes, each team member understands what needs to be done to complete the task.

• In the next column, we indicate comments that help to better navigate the points of project stages.

• We also provide a link to the regulations so that you don’t forget anything 🙂

We use checklists both on projects and when decomposing tasks for developers in Tracker. This is a great way to break down tasks and focus.

Why you need to use checklists

1. Checklists help systematize and organize the development process, which contributes to a more structured and efficient performance of tasks.

2. The use of check sheets allows you not to miss important components and functionality of the product, since all stages and features are indicated and can be consistently checked.

3. Checklists allow you to ensure the high quality of development, as they include all the necessary stages of testing, checking compliance with requirements and accounting for the main standards of web development.

4. Using a checklist allows you to save time and resources, since there is no need to create a new development plan from scratch every time – it is enough to take a ready-made checklist and adapt it to the specific needs of the project.

5. Checklists simplify teamwork, as each team member can see the current progress and development status, taking into account the completed items of the checklist.

6. In the case of using checklists, the probability of missing any errors or problems is reduced, since all necessary checks and tests are already included in the list of tasks.

How to issue a check list

Based on our experience, we have collected some tips and useful resources to help you create checklists that work:

• Entrust the preparation of the checklist to the project manager, since he has a deep understanding of the project and will be able to describe in detail all the necessary points.

• Choose a convenient format for the checklist. Our best option is a table. Create a simple table with three columns: the first column for milestones, the second for task descriptions, and the third for notes. Additionally, you can add information specific to working on projects for your company: regulations, deadlines, working hours.

• Each checklist should be focused on a specific topic and aim to solve a specific task. Do not try to combine different areas of your work in one list – this will only lead to confusion. It is recommended to create separate checklists for testing or for conditional stages that do not apply to all projects.

• Break down tasks into simpler and more understandable ones to handle them more easily.

• One of the most valuable features of checklists is their adaptability. If you don’t have time to complete a task or you need to add/delete some stage, don’t despair 🙂 The checklist can always be changed and adapted to any circumstances of the project.

• Start each week, planner and meeting with updating checklists. This will help record intermediate results and plan future tasks.

Services for those who do not like Google Sheets, we offer several alternatives:

• Canva. If you are looking for beauty, then this tool will suit you;

• 365 done. This checklist builder for all occasions also features convenience and an attractive design. You can create several checklists with task descriptions for different team members;

• Checkli. If your projects are in English or you work with an international team, this resource will be ideal. Here you can fill out checklists online, share them with others, embed them on your site and save them as a file. When creating a checklist, you can add banners and combine items into sections for ease of filling;

• Notion. It is a service for creating notes, text documents, to-do lists, databases, tables, kanban boards, knowledge bases and joint work on projects.

Shall we fix on harmful advice?

1. Open the checklist the first time you complete the entire project. After all, why waste time on checking and control, when you can jump right into the readiness pool and dive into it!

2. Make the check sheets by hand and do not share them with anyone. Let only your hand know all the secrets and cover the checklists with mysterious hieroglyphs.

3. Let everyone who works on the project create their own checklist, in which they indicate only what they want. After all, someone has to oversee the project so it’s like a broccoli cake mix – everyone gets their own!

4. Indicate only the stages in the sheets, it makes no sense to prescribe specific tasks. Give freedom to creativity and imagination – let everyone decide for themselves how to complete the “Make it cool!” task.

5. Do not make check sheets at all. Keep all project information in your head. After all, someone said that we will all be loaded with information, like a supercomputer? Nonsense!

And, of course, I share our checklists:

1. Checklist for design testing

2. Checklist for the development of pre-project analytics

Good luck!