The Checklist Manifesto

How to Get Things Right

By: Atul Gawande

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author of Being Mortal and Complications reveals the surprising power of the ordinary checklist.

We live in a world of great and increasing complexity, where even the most expert professionals struggle to master the tasks they face. Longer training, ever more advanced technologies - neither seems to prevent grievous errors. But in a hopeful turn, acclaimed surgeon and writer Atul Gawande finds a remedy in the humblest and simplest of techniques: the checklist. First introduced decades ago by the US Air Force, checklists have enabled pilots to fly aircraft of mind-boggling sophistication. Now innovative checklists are being adopted in hospitals around the world, helping doctors and nurses respond to everything from flu epidemics to avalanches. Even in the immensely complex world of surgery, a simple 90-second variant has cut the rate of fatalities by more than a third.

In riveting stories, Gawande takes us from Austria, where an emergency checklist saved a drowning victim who had spent half an hour underwater, to Michigan, where a cleanliness checklist in intensive care units virtually eliminated a type of deadly hospital infection. He explains how checklists actually work to prompt striking and immediate improvements. And he follows the checklist revolution into fields well beyond medicine, from homeland security to investment banking, skyscraper construction, and businesses of all kinds.

An intellectual adventure in which lives are lost and saved and one simple idea makes a tremendous difference, The Checklist Manifesto is essential listening for anyone working to get things right.

©2009 Atul Gawande (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

A book that every professional must read

An airplane crashes, and following investigation, all airlines quickly adapt to a new procedure to avoid the next crash. Moreover, the new procedure has subsequently proven effective.
What makes the aerospace industry so different to almost any other in its ability to practice discipline?
This book will show you that the root is in a simple and powerful concept: the checklist.
Not only that, Atul Gawande demonstrates from his own experience how a simple checklist helped him prevent loss of life in his operating theatre, and hundreds more in hospitals worldwide - and this is just the beginning.
The ideas in this book are relevant to any profession - but do you have the guts to take the responsibility to become disciplined?
After reading this book, you will have a fresh look on your own professionalism.

Relevant and interesting

Anybody can benefit from this great book. Atul Gawande presented true to life stories that are relatable.

Great

It is an amazing story about how to establish what could ultimately be life-saving routines via a checklist.

Excellence again

Another great book by Dr Atul Guwande. Thoughtful and pertinent examples to support the checklist and team concepts across many professions.

Wonderful strategy

Elementary changes that will greatly improve everything that I do. So glad that I was referred to this book.

Great book.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Very useful information in so many ways. Thank you Doctor.

A great narrative on an underrated, underestimated leverage tool

I’m excited to review my notes and incorporate these ideas for my client! Anytime there’s a point of significant leverage it’s worth our time and attention to study.

Great!

While I was already a believer in checklists, this book helped further solidify my beliefs. There are lots of stories told and that is what the matter is about.... Why checklists work and why they should be created and used by everybody, no matter your trade or endeavor.

The book for turning pro

Whether you’re a coach, a doctor, firefighter, or a consultant, you need a checklist. I am a coach myself, and have a top-notch training, and still I count this book among the top five most valuable books I have ever read on becoming professional. Very highly recommended!

Best book I have read in a decade!

I try to read something that will help me professionally every year or so and there are only a handful that I would say were life changing for me. I have to put this in my top 2 of all time! I am a quality manager and this is the most practical, no nonsense application of my craft I have ever experienced. I saw him naturally apply many of what would be called “quality tools” without ever mentioning them outright. I hate to admit it but I was brought to tears a couple of times. This book is more of an “experience” than a pursuit of knowledge, yet knowledge and wisdom is what you get!