A simple checklist to follow day in, day out, is a highly undervalued tool.
Here are a couple of examples where the value of checklists has been recognized:
- In aviation, checklists have been used for more than 70 years and have undoubtedly avoided many accidents.
- In healthcare, a study showed that following standard checklists saved 40% of lives.
What is another activity where someone might forget something important? A quality inspection in a supplier’s facility!
People ask you questions. You are not used to the place, the equipment, etc. You might not be familiar with the product specifications. The environment might be hot, noisy, and so on.
So, I thought of what simple checklist could be followed, as standard procedure. Here are some points to come to mind (many correspond to some common issues that might lead to some sometimes severe consequences):
- Have I selected the right SKU?
- Can I work in good enough conditions (light, noise, table…)?
- Factory people let me work at my pace without too many interruptions?
- Were products really picked randomly?
- Any risk of having the cartons/products I picked swapped behind my back?
- Factory-provided tool in good state, and seems to function correctly?
- Am I sure I know how to use the tools?
- Am I sure I understand each checkpoint?
- Do I take the end user/consumer perspective when checking the product?
- Have I filled out all the sections in the report?
- Are my comments clear?
Can you think of anything to add to the list?
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Related post: How your inspectors can fail to notice quality problems
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