Wikipedia gives the definition of a checklist as follows:
A checklist is a type of informational 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.
For further reading refer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checklist
In engineering design of a chemical process plant there can be several checklists. Some examples for engineering design checklists are as follows:
1. Checklist for Process Flow Diagram (PFD)
2. Checklist for Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDS)
3. Checklists for Equipment Data Sheet (e.g. Pumps. Tanks, Vessels, Compressors, Mixers, Dryers, Package Items etc.)
4. Checklists for Instrument Data Sheets (Flow meters, Pressure Measurement, Temperature Measurement, Analytical Instruments etc.)
5. Checklist for Vendor Data Analysis
6. Checklist for Piping Isometrics and GA Drawings
7. Checklist for Electrical Single Line Diagrams
8. Checklist for Instrument Loop Diagrams
Any engineering design activity can be verified for accuracy and completeness using a checklist. The above are just a few examples which I have provided and there can be many more.
Checklist formats generally have a description of what needs to be checked in the document as various bullet points with a check box next to it. The engineer or designer needs to check out the box with a X or √ after verifying that the requisites of the particular point mentioned in the checklist are fulfilled for the document being checked. Usually a checklist will have a long list of descriptive points which need to be checked against the document under checking. The engineer or designer needs to check each of the points in the checklist against the document being checked and tick of the check boxes for compliance against the points in the checklist.
Most established engineering consulting companies have standard checklist formats for most engineering design activities. However, these standard checklists need to be reviewed periodically as part of the overall quality management system of the organization in keeping with the latest changes in engineering design philosophy and client requirements. Sometimes clients themselves have their own engineering design checklists and there should be a mutual agreement between the consultant and client for their usage at the start of the project.
In certain cases checklists may be developed on a need basis for a particular design activity or for a particular project if there are no standard formats available. This should be done in a consultative manner with all concerned with the objective of enhancing the design quality of the engineering documents.
Concluding my blog post I reiterate that checklists are a great tool for quality engineering design and provide a great help in generating error-free engineering documents. The motto of first-time-right is greatly aided by checklists as well as the immense help they provide in cutting down time (man hours) in engineering design.
I would really love to have comments from the members of the "Cheresources" community about my blog posting.
Regards,
Ankur.