Despite the fact that this meme is marketing, my concern is that it promotes the idea that checklists are ‘foolproof’.
Every incident and accident I have ever investigated over the past 20 years has had a completed checklist!
Yes, checklists are useful but we should take no confidence in them. A checklist is only as good as the designer of the checklist and the history built into that design. Checklists are useful but cannot help anyone see into the future. Checklists serve as a helpful reminder of the basics but also ‘dumb down’ people so that they don’t think.
One of the best ways to assess risk is to have no checklist!
Moreso, the real problem in this meme is that it asserts that once a checklist is completed there no more ‘worries’. This stands against the sense-able idea of ‘chronic unease’ and ‘entertaining’ doubt’.
When you think a checklist releases you from any worry, you have already entered into a state of hubris and overconfidence. Hubris and overconfidence in the face of risk is dangerous and amplifies perception blindness. These create a state of un-safety.
A little dose of anxiety and concern after completing a checklist is a healthy thing.
In SPoR, we shy away from excessive checklists. We use them as a base-line and so don’t eliminate them but we are wary of taking much confidence in them. This is why we developed the iCue method (https://safetyrisk.net/icue-methodology-a-video/) that fosters conversational and cultural analysis in the face of risk. The iCue method helps bring to the surface many things that the designers of checklists don’t see.
If you are interested in the iCue method we can arrange for one of our mentors to coach you. admin@spor.com.au
brhttps://safetyrisk.net/the-hubris-of-checklists/
Prompt