Improving Staff Performance through the Use of Task Checklists

Abstract

Analysis of a checklist system suggested that it may be a useful method of improving staff performance. Three features were considered important components of a checklist system: task definitions, recording responses on checklists, and periodic supervisor review. A checklist system incorporating these features was developed for an administrative staff in a large instructional system. A multiple-baseline across-subjects design and one reversal were used with three small groups of front-line staff, whose task completion was determined by permanent products left by the tasks. The percent of tasks completed improved by 28.8% when the checklist system was in effect. This study indicated that checklists may be a worthwhile method of managing worker performance.