Today we find ourselves in possession of stupendous know-how, which we willingly place in the hands of the most highly skilled people. But avoidable failures are common, and the reason is simple: the volume and complexity of our knowledge has exceeded our ability to consistently deliver it - correctly, safely or efficiently. In this groundbreaking book, Atul Gawande makes a compelling argument for the checklist, which he believes to be the most promising method available in surmounting failure. Whether you're following a recipe, investing millions of dollars in a company or building a skyscraper, the checklist is an essential tool in virtually every area of our lives, and Gawande explains how breaking down complex, high pressure tasks into small steps can radically improve everything from airline safety to heart surgery survival rates. Fascinating and enlightening, The Checklist Manifesto shows how the simplest of ideas could transform how we operate in almost any field.
The Checklist Manifesto
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Amazon Review
Amazon Exclusive: Malcolm Gladwell Reviews The Checklist Manifesto
Malcolm Gladwell was named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2005. He is most recently the author of What the Dog Saw (a collection of his writing from The New Yorker) as well as the bestsellers Outliers, The Tipping Point, and Blink. Read his exclusive Amazon guest review of The Checklist Manifesto:
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Malcolm Gladwell was named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2005. He is most recently the author of What the Dog Saw (a collection of his writing from The New Yorker) as well as the bestsellers Outliers, The Tipping Point, and Blink. Read his exclusive Amazon guest review of The Checklist Manifesto:
Over the past decade, through his writing in The New Yorker magazine and his books Complications and Better, Atul Gawande has made a name for himself as a writer of exquisitely crafted meditations on the problems and challenges of modern medicine. His latest book, The Checklist Manifesto, begins on familiar ground, with his experiences as a surgeon. But before long it becomes clear that he is really interested in a problem that afflicts virtually every aspect of the modern world--and that is how professionals deal with the increasing complexity of their responsibilities. It has been years since I read a book so powerful and so thought-provoking.
Gawande begins by making a distinction between errors of ignorance (mistakes we make because we don't know enough), and errors of ineptitude (mistakes we made because we don’t make proper use of what we know). Failure in the modern world, he writes, is really about the second of these errors, and he walks us through a series of examples from medicine showing how the routine tasks of surgeons have now become so incredibly complicated that mistakes of one kind or another are virtually inevitable: it's just too easy for an otherwise competent doctor to miss a step, or forget to ask a key question or, in the stress and pressure of the moment, to fail to plan properly for every eventuality. Gawande then visits with pilots and the people who build skyscrapers and comes back with a solution. Experts need checklists--literally--written guides that walk them through the key steps in any complex procedure. In the last section of the book, Gawande shows how his research team has taken this idea, developed a safe surgery checklist, and applied it around the world, with staggering success.
The danger, in a review as short as this, is that it makes Gawande’s book seem narrow in focus or prosaic in its conclusions. It is neither. Gawande is a gorgeous writer and storyteller, and the aims of this book are ambitious. Gawande thinks that the modern world requires us to revisit what we mean by expertise: that experts need help, and that progress depends on experts having the humility to concede that they need help. --Malcolm Gladwell
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
`A welcome book... packed with vivid writing, heart-stopping anecdotes and statistical surprises' --Financial Times
'[a] riveting and thought-provoking book' --David Aaranovitch, The Times
'A fascinating read' --Catholic Herald
`He argues eloquently and persuasively for the humble checklist.' --British Medical Journal
`Important as well as absorbing' --Steven Poole, Guardian
`A fascinating insight into the power of the humble to do list' --Psychologies
'[a] riveting and thought-provoking book' --David Aaranovitch, The Times
'A fascinating read' --Catholic Herald
`He argues eloquently and persuasively for the humble checklist.' --British Medical Journal
`Important as well as absorbing' --Steven Poole, Guardian
`A fascinating insight into the power of the humble to do list' --Psychologies
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 61 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A defence of rational, systems-thinking approach to handling complex problems
1 Feb 2010
By S. Yogendra
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
Atul Gawande's The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right has come close on the heels of Umberto Eco's The Infinity of Lists. Both are about lists and both admit to the ability of lists to bring about order and control. Both books attracted me because I am a consummate checklist-maker. Despite my prejudicial preference for lists and reading about lists, it is a credit to the quality of Atul Gawande's writing that the book kept me absorbed for the 3 hours it took to read all 193 pages of it.
The author proposes "checklists" as a functional tool to deal with the limitations of human knowledge and the possibility of making mistakes in the face of complex problems. Using stories from construction management, airline piloting and disaster management, and surgery, he shows how checklists can be used to break down complex tasks into simpler steps, thus helping prevent expensive mistakes. The author delves further into two kinds of lists (Do-Confirm or Read-Do) using a story from how the airline manufacturing industry writes their "user manuals".
Early on, he points out that checklists are not some silver bullet, and that there is judgement involved. Some situations may benefit from checklists, while others may not need any. Later in the book, he also admits that to many, lists are protocols and embody rigidity. He then proceeds to illustrate why this needn't be so and to demonstrate the importance of team work and how checklists enable that discipline, especially in disasters.
I found Chapters 7 and 8 most fascinating. The stories told so far describe the complexity of the work/ task itself but these two chapters introduce another layer, that of institutional complexity.... Read more ›
The author proposes "checklists" as a functional tool to deal with the limitations of human knowledge and the possibility of making mistakes in the face of complex problems. Using stories from construction management, airline piloting and disaster management, and surgery, he shows how checklists can be used to break down complex tasks into simpler steps, thus helping prevent expensive mistakes. The author delves further into two kinds of lists (Do-Confirm or Read-Do) using a story from how the airline manufacturing industry writes their "user manuals".
Early on, he points out that checklists are not some silver bullet, and that there is judgement involved. Some situations may benefit from checklists, while others may not need any. Later in the book, he also admits that to many, lists are protocols and embody rigidity. He then proceeds to illustrate why this needn't be so and to demonstrate the importance of team work and how checklists enable that discipline, especially in disasters.
I found Chapters 7 and 8 most fascinating. The stories told so far describe the complexity of the work/ task itself but these two chapters introduce another layer, that of institutional complexity.... Read more ›
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book puts forward a very compelling case for the use of simple check lists to assist in healthcare. These check lists should not be the controlling factor but should act as an aid to helping improve the levels of care given. This is an idea which has been received quite well in the healthcare profession in the U.K. With checklists for bothe Pre and post operative procedures being part of Lord Darzi's recommendations.
I first came across this book after Atul Gawande appeared on the Daily Show with John Stewart, and the common sense arguments that he put forward for the use of checklists were very compelling. Their use in scenarios such as Pre-flight have been invaluable and saved counless lives, and not by being monotonous list that dumb down procedures but provide an aide memoir to a skilled individual which helps ensure no critical element of a procedure is overlooked.
I first came across this book after Atul Gawande appeared on the Daily Show with John Stewart, and the common sense arguments that he put forward for the use of checklists were very compelling. Their use in scenarios such as Pre-flight have been invaluable and saved counless lives, and not by being monotonous list that dumb down procedures but provide an aide memoir to a skilled individual which helps ensure no critical element of a procedure is overlooked.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Jonathan Kettleborough
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
October 30th, 1935. It doesn't seem that special a date until you realise that the consequences of a plane crash that day which raised the comment "too much airplane for one man to fly" resulted in the creation of a pilot's checklist to ensure that all the correct elements of the plane were checked and set in accordance with safe flight.
And so what you may ask? Well a number of years later the acclaimed surgeon Atul Gawande used the checklist to reduce death, injury and hospital re-admittance by dramatic amounts as his book ably testifies. But it's not just the medical profession that have benefitted from the humble checklist. Atul found checklists developed, used and refined by restaurateurs (if you don't follow the recipe then things change over time), builders, business investors (the checklist helps them keep their head, and their money) and even rock bands (there's truth in the M&M story after all!).
Within his book, Atul describes example after example where the simple checklist saves lives, increases profits and maintains quality.
This is an exceptionally well-written book with simple messages that can be translated into all walks of life. Excellent!
And so what you may ask? Well a number of years later the acclaimed surgeon Atul Gawande used the checklist to reduce death, injury and hospital re-admittance by dramatic amounts as his book ably testifies. But it's not just the medical profession that have benefitted from the humble checklist. Atul found checklists developed, used and refined by restaurateurs (if you don't follow the recipe then things change over time), builders, business investors (the checklist helps them keep their head, and their money) and even rock bands (there's truth in the M&M story after all!).
Within his book, Atul describes example after example where the simple checklist saves lives, increases profits and maintains quality.
This is an exceptionally well-written book with simple messages that can be translated into all walks of life. Excellent!
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By JaiCle
Format:Hardcover
The author makes a clear case for the advantages of using checklists in some types of work, showing situations where their introduction had very good results. He discusses what type of tasks are better suited to be assisted by checklists and how a good checklists are made.
You will find good ideas on how to make good checklists, but do not expect recipes (or checklists!) for doing them.
I usually expect this type of books to be quite repetitive, getting the message through in a few pages and then repeating it over and over. This is not the case, being quite enjoyable to read.
You will find good ideas on how to make good checklists, but do not expect recipes (or checklists!) for doing them.
I usually expect this type of books to be quite repetitive, getting the message through in a few pages and then repeating it over and over. This is not the case, being quite enjoyable to read.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By W. Harrod
Format:Hardcover
A great example of a simple tool having a huge impact in a complex environment.
The real value is in considering your own complex challenges, working to understand what really makes a difference, then finding a simple way to use it!
Simple, not easy.
The real value is in considering your own complex challenges, working to understand what really makes a difference, then finding a simple way to use it!
Simple, not easy.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By O. Buxton
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm squeamish. I don't dig unnecessarily detailed descriptions of surgery. So this - a business book written by a surgeon - was always going to be a tough one. It analogises best practice from surgical procedure to business, legal and engineering process and so has some - necessarily, I suppose - detailed descriptions of the grisly misdeeds that can happen when you carelessly cut people open. Ick.
A couple of anecdotes in the introduction were almost enough to put me off the book, but I boxed on. Pathetic, aren't I.
Happily, Atul Gawande soon moves out of the Intensive Care Unit and rarely returns. In the mean time he makes some surprising and valuable observations. I was going to say they are "counter-intuitive" but, in a strange way, they do seem intuitively right. So "surprising".
What is most surprising is that there is no paradigm-shifting reveal here: no "long tail", "tipping point", "black swan", "universal acid", or "wealthy network" which has fundamentally altered the rules of engagement in the collective enterprises we're talking about. The groundbreaking technique to which Gawande appeals for his insight is the humble checklist: not exactly Web 2.0, is it.
My initial reaction was dismissive: I've read The (Mis)Behaviour of Markets and The Black Swa and have been persuaded of the futility of trying to anticipate unplanned contingencies.... Read more ›
A couple of anecdotes in the introduction were almost enough to put me off the book, but I boxed on. Pathetic, aren't I.
Happily, Atul Gawande soon moves out of the Intensive Care Unit and rarely returns. In the mean time he makes some surprising and valuable observations. I was going to say they are "counter-intuitive" but, in a strange way, they do seem intuitively right. So "surprising".
What is most surprising is that there is no paradigm-shifting reveal here: no "long tail", "tipping point", "black swan", "universal acid", or "wealthy network" which has fundamentally altered the rules of engagement in the collective enterprises we're talking about. The groundbreaking technique to which Gawande appeals for his insight is the humble checklist: not exactly Web 2.0, is it.
My initial reaction was dismissive: I've read The (Mis)Behaviour of Markets and The Black Swa and have been persuaded of the futility of trying to anticipate unplanned contingencies.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Useful and a nice read - but not earth shattering
Useful stuff with nice anecdotes. I always thought a guy who's head doctor of a global organization had to find a cure for a major disease. Dr. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mandrake
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant read
This is a brilliant read - I started as a pessimist and would now be a promoter of checklists and this is a really readable book - thoroughly enjoyed and recommend
Published 5 days ago by Miss E Davidson
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you work in a complex environment - this book is for you.
As a risk and business continuity specialist, this book provides a solid basis to promote the idea that we are not all robots and can't think of everything - so why not have a... Read more
Published 15 days ago by AlanP
4.0 out of 5 stars
It Just Makes Sense
As a professional nurse, I realize that life has become so complicated, that I want to give the best care possible, and that I need some help. Read more
Published 1 month ago by prisrob
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Third Book
This book is well written, a good read and charts the development and early implementation of the WHO Surgical Safety Check List. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Simon Nixon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Really enjoyed reading this. Some great ideas but generally just an easy and pleasant read. I would recommend it to all.
Published 2 months ago by KT
1.0 out of 5 stars
Rubbish
I thought this book was about something different. This book is about doctors and nurses and what goes on in their job. its about doing the impossbile and succeeding. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jonathan Kavanagh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Safety manual for all medics
This little book may save more lives then a bunch of Nobel prizes. Read it, alter your practice, and begin to put an end o malpractice suits.
Published 3 months ago by Robert Gartside
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good insights
Good, substantive insights - examples include:
Highly effective practices (checklists) have been routinely applied in some industries (aviation) for generations, and are... Read more
Highly effective practices (checklists) have been routinely applied in some industries (aviation) for generations, and are... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Suzie Bennett
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for any business. Simple idea
I am a believer in checklists aand procedures. This book brought a very scientific view, showing how things can be massively improved by having a standard and sticking got it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Olaf Ransome
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