Checklists are a type of job aid used to reduce failure by compensating for potential limits of human memory and attention.
It helps to ensure consistency and completeness in carrying out a task.
A basic example is the "to do list" that many people use to make sure they do not forget something important.
A more advanced checklist would be a schedule, which lays out tasks to be done according to time of day or other factors.
Use of a checklist can reduce any tendency to avoid, omit or neglect important steps in any task.
Checklists are used in many fields, including medicine, aviation, construction, and software development.