The Checklist Manifesto：How to Get Things Right

Weliveinaworldofgreatandincreasingcomplexity,whereeventhemostexpertprofessionalsstruggletomasterthetaskstheyface.Longertraining,evermoreadvancedtechnologies—neitherseemstopreventgrievouserrors.Butinahopefulturn,acclaimedsurgeonandwriterAtulGawandefindsaremedyinthehumblestandsimplestoftechniques:thechecklist.FirstintroduceddecadesagobytheU.S.AirForce,checklistshaveenabledpilotstoflyaircraftofmind-bogglingsophistication.Nowinnovativechecklistsarebeingadoptedinhospitalsaroundtheworld,helpingdoctorsandnursesrespondtoeverythingfromfluepidemicstoavalanches.Evenintheimmenselycomplexworldofsurgery,asimpleninety-secondvarianthascuttherateoffatalitiesbymorethanathird.Inrivetingstories,GawandetakesusfromAustria,whereanemergencychecklistsavedadrowningvictimwhohadspenthalfanhourunderwater,toMichigan,whereacleanlinesschecklistinintensivecareunitsvirtuallyeliminatedatypeofdeadlyhospi-talinfection.Heexplainshowchecklistsactuallyworktopromptstrikingandimmediateimprovements.Andhefollowsthechecklistrevolutionintofieldswellbeyondmedicine,fromhomelandsecuritytoinvestmentbanking,skyscraperconstruction,andbusinessesofallkinds.Anintellectualadventureinwhichlivesarelostandsavedandonesimpleideamakesatremendousdifference,TheChecklistManifestoisessentialreadingforanyoneworkingtogetthingsright.