Checklists Are Powerful—But You Need Judgment to Use Them Wisely

Imagine a teacher with a bright red rubric in hand, scanning essays with checkboxes for grammar, structure, and creativity. It’s efficient, fair—until she stumbles on one essay that tells a raw, gripping story, but breaks every formal rule. The system says low score, but her gut says otherwise. Meanwhile, in the business world or in medicine, checklists can drive big decisions, quickly sorting applicants or patients into go/no-go categories.

Yet, checklists are designed by people, and both experts and novices can make mistakes when following them blindly. In criminal justice and psychology, these risks are especially high—a person’s future can swing on a point or two on a behavioral checklist, regardless of their broader story. The best practitioners use the checklist as a starting line, not a finishing one. Research on expert judgment and decision science supports blending structured criteria with real-world context and second opinions, especially when the stakes are high and lives are complex.

So next time a checklist feels like the final word, remember: it’s a powerful tool, but your careful judgment is what makes it wise.

Use your favorite checklist or rubric to guide your next major evaluation, but don't stop there. If a case feels truly exceptional, make note of the pattern-breaking details and consider seeking advice or making a judgment call, backed with a clear explanation. Share your assessment with a colleague or mentor to see if your criteria hold up under scrutiny. By practicing this blend of structure and flexibility, you'll make fairer, wiser decisions and avoid the pitfalls of following formulas too rigidly. Next time you use a checklist, add a dose of human insight before closing the file.