Using Checklists to Simplify Consulting Tasks

Here's something I wish I started doing sooner in my legal career: Using checklists for project intake. Too often, when a project is being turned over, details get missed, and questions don't get asked, resulting in confusion and frustration. Part of the problem is that senior lawyers don't get trained on how to assign a project, which leads to things like emails being forwarded with the directive to "pls handle." A checklist can help a junior lawyer who's unclear on a request gain clarity. Here are some helpful prompts: 1. When? Make sure you're clear on the deadline. If there is a filing deadline or date by which something has to go to a client, when does the assigning lawyer need to see a draft? Clarify if the given deadline is "ASAP" or "COB". 2. Who? Who is the audience? Is it an internal memo? Is it going to the client? Is the client a lawyer or a business person? This is important because it can help make sure the work product strikes the right tone and includes the right level of detail. 3. What? What are the client's work product preferences (e.g., lots of detail with citations or list of bullet point conclusions)? Also, what is the scope/budget of the project? Spend a few hours and report back on findings or go all out to find the answer? 4. Why? Why does this matter? What is the context and how does what I'm doing fit into the big picture of our work for this client? Are there other issues I should be on the lookout for? Clarity comes from asking good questions. This is a start. Create a checklist for the types of projects you commonly work on. I promise you’ll feel more squared away, and fewer details will slip through the cracks.

Most SOPs fail before they even get written Why? Because they’re written for the boss, not the team. A lot of small business owners treat SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) like a rulebook. Long. Rigid. Complicated. But real documentation isn’t about control. It’s about CLARITY. One client came to me after her VA kept missing steps in the onboarding process. She had a Google Doc. It was 7 pages long. No one used it. So we rebuilt it, together. ↳ We started by identifying just the three core workflows she needed help with most. ↳ Then we simplified. ↳ Created a step-by-step checklist for each task. ↳ Added visuals to show exactly how things should look. ↳ Recorded short Loom videos (each under 3 minutes) to walk her VA through the process. The result? ✅ Her VA stopped asking the same questions. ✅ Tasks were completed on time. ✅ She finally stopped waking up to Slack messages at 6 a.m. Here’s the truth most people miss: Good systems don’t live in your head…. They live where your team can find and use them. And when your team has access to simple, repeatable SOPs, they stop waiting, guessing, or spiraling. They just do the work. Struggling to get your team to actually USE the SOPs you’ve created? I created a free guide to help you build simple, streamlined SOPs your team will follow, without extra meetings, micromanagement, or overwhelm. Link is in the comment section below. This is exactly what I help small business owners do: Turn over complicated processes into clear, practical systems that actually get used So your team runs smoother, and you stay focused on growth. #systems #leadership #business #strategy #ProcessImprovement

Scope of Work Checklist for Aircraft Maintenance Consulting 1. Project Overview Define the purpose and objectives of the consulting engagement. Identify the key stakeholders and their roles. Outline the scope of consulting services. 2. General Scope Specify the type of aircraft (e.g., commercial, military, or private). Include the systems and components to be addressed (e.g., airframe, powerplant, avionics). State the consulting areas of focus, such as: Maintenance program development. Compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., FAA, EASA, or other local authorities). Process optimization. Training and skill development. 3. Deliverables List the tangible and intangible deliverables, such as: Technical reports. Maintenance plans or schedules. Gap analysis for compliance. Training materials or sessions. Recommendations for process improvement. 4. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Define phases of the consulting project: Initial assessment. Data collection and analysis. Strategy development. Implementation support. Review and final recommendations. 5. Key Activities Conduct inspections and audits. Review maintenance records and history. Evaluate current procedures and compliance. Identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvement. Provide guidance on equipment and tool requirements. Offer recommendations on workforce training and certifications. 6. Regulatory Compliance Specify applicable standards and guidelines: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations. Transport Canada (TCCA) or other regional standards. Include tasks related to updating manuals, processes, and checklists to meet these standards. 7. Tools and Resources Identify required tools, equipment, and software. Define access to relevant documentation and systems. 8. Reporting Requirements Determine the format and frequency of progress reports. Specify requirements for final documentation or presentations. 9. Communication Plan Define communication channels (e.g., email, virtual meetings). Establish the frequency of status meetings. Identify points of contact for each party. 10. Timeline Provide a detailed project schedule with milestones. Include deadlines for deliverables and reviews. 11. Assumptions and Dependencies List assumptions made for the scope of work (e.g., availability of data, tools, and personnel). Identify dependencies or factors that could affect timelines or outcomes. 12. Exclusions Clearly state any tasks or areas that are outside the scope of the consulting engagement. 13. Terms and Conditions Define billing and payment terms. Include confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Outline intellectual property rights for any deliverables. Specify liability and indemnity clauses. 14. Approval and Sign-off Include a section for the client and consultant to formally approve the scope of work.