Using Checklists

Have we mentioned that we love checklists?  Attorney Kenneth Grady wrote a guest blog for ADR Notable about checklists in which he asserts that mediation is a "natural home" for checklists.  You can read it here.

If you already use or want to try using checklists, this article will explain how to get the most out of this useful organizational feature.  We think of checklists like a pilot's pre-flight checklist. They are a great way to ensure you think about or follow certain steps in all cases of a similar type, or in every case regardless of type. For example, in every case, you want to be sure you've done and documented a check for conflicts of interest. In a foreclosure case, you always want to ask if the borrower has filed for bankruptcy before proceeding. Checklists are extremely flexible.  Some users -- and especially ADR Notable Training Partners -- use Checklists to, for example, keep a handy list of ways to get through an impasse or to "cool things down" during a session.

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Creating a checklist

Checklists are created in the Library.  Select the Checklists button at the top of the Library Menu, then the Create Checklist button in the lower right corner.  Then simply fill in the fields and Save it when you are done.

Here are some things to know about Checklists...

• Assigning a Category is optional, but is a handy way to organize your Checklists. 
• Click on the "More" button (three dots) and select Edit to add information. 
  • Initials are a convenient way to assign tasks if you are sharing a Case with a Case Manager or a Co-mediator. 
  • If you add a Due Date, then your outstanding tasks will show up on your main Dashboard every time you enter ADR Notable.
• You can reorder Checklist items by dragging and dropping them.

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Using a Checklist

Whenever you are in a Case, click on Checklists in the top menu, then simply select your Checklist.  They will be organized by Category. 

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Other things to know about Checklists

1.  If you have Firm Administrator privileges in ADR Notable, you can create Checklists that are available to everyone in your Firm.  Firm members will simply copy them with a single click to their "My Checklists" and they are ready to use or customize as needed.  

2. Select ADR Notable from the dropdown list in the Checklists Library, and you will find a few sample Checklists there.  Please feel free to customize and use these as you wish!

3.  When you click on Checklists in a Case, you will see Case Specific (Customize) at the top of the list.  This is a great feature that allows you to keep a to-do list for a specific case -- no need to go back to My Library!  And any changes you make to the "Case Specific" checklist only appear in the case in which it is being used.  

Do you have a favorite checklist that you would like to share with the ADR Notable community?  Send it along and we would be delighted to consider adding it to the "Checklist Library."