Tunachuckers Can-O'-Blog

Some of you may have noticed this creepy character who calls himself "Waterwolf" and lurks among us. I have no idea who this nutcase is, but today he (she?) sent me a recommendation for a book that the team should read:

From Waterwolf:

The book is called: The Checklist Manifesto: How to get things right by Atul Gawande

The author examines many disparate tasks, from flying airplanes to building a sky scraper, to show how checklists can improve outcomes. Read this book and you might find yourself making checklists for the most mundane tasks----and be better for it. The author writes that: "The volume and complexity of what we know has exceeded our individual ability to deliver its benefits correctly, safely or reliably. Unless, of course, we use checklists". There is also a Checklist for the Perfect Checklist----to make complex operations routine, keep these guidelines in mind (with examples in Tuna-talk):

· Include all "stupid but critical" tasks so that they're not overlooked. (Would a true Tunachucker ever forget to include beer on an overnight camping trip?)

· Make it mandatory for team members to let others know when they complete one of those tasks. (Hey, Anthony, I packed the beer.)

·Empower subordinates to question their superiors about the checklist. (Don't be afraid to ask Rob if he packed beer.)

·Allow for improvisation in unusual circumstances. (Hey, Mike, they ran out of premium beer so I brought Genny Cream Ale.)

·Thoroughly test-drive your checklist before putting it into place. (Who drank all the beer?)

/end Waterwolf email

 Waterwolf says he would have bought the team this book, but that s/he is too cheap. Oh well. Personally, I think we should cross-drill the oil drain plug and safety wire it. But that's just me.