10 Steps to creating effective digital checklists 

Standardize and support your ongoing operational processes.

What is a Digital Checklist?

Digital Checklists document a process that can be made available to anyone, anywhere to standardize the execution and data capture of that process leveraging an electronic device. 

A great checklist goes beyond just documenting a process. It enables employees to learn new skills quickly and perform their jobs better. 

Why a Digital Checklist?

• Productivity – time, clarity, mobile-friendly 
• Accuracy and Control – human error, simplify, consistency
• Accountability – audit trail, follow-up, recognizing
• Data Insights – capture, analysis, visibility 
• Cost Control – printing, paper, storage, disposal, environment  

10 Steps to Building an Effective Digital Checklist

1. Have a clear objective

• Communicate why this process is being performed.
• Define the goal this process serves.
• Identify the individuals performing the process.

2. What data do you need

• Define the exact data that needs to be captured.
• Understand the data analysis that needs to be done based on the process.
• Define the data, and the input values, that will trigger follow-up actions.

3. Know your audience

• Time available and environment in which they will complete the checklist.
• Appropriate language, such as technical terms, appropriate for the audience.
• Comfort level of your audience in interacting with technology.

4. Keep it simple 

• Avoid walls of text. Keep it short.
• Make sure every step has a purpose.
• Use the appropriate language.

5. Be specific

• Leave no room for interpretation.
• Cover the details.  
• Emphasize the most critical parts.

6. Use appropriate answer types

• Make it easy to provide the answer, observation, or mark completion.
• Provide a limited selection of answers, or a number, if data analysis will be required.
• Use free text only when data analysis will not be needed.

7. Use photos intelligently

• Remember a picture is worth a thousand words.
• Only add photos when they add value. Not for decoration.
• Keep pictures simple. Add additional pictures rather than one complicated picture.

8. Make it easy to navigate

• Follow a predictable order.
• Allow for visibility into past and future steps.
• Let users save their work and continue at a later time.

9. Test it before launching

• Have the checklist tested by representatives from your target audience.
• Simulate real-life conditions as best as possible.
• Follow a consistent ‘go-live’ process.

10. Update regularly

• Allow for an easy way for users to provide feedback.
• Validate feedback with other users.
• Incorporate feedback regularly.
  

Video: 10 Steps to creating effective digital checklists 

To learn more about Rever:

• Rever Overview Video
• Rever Operational Routines Video