What to Include in a Basic Quality Checklist
A quality checklist might sound like something reserved for manufacturing plants or corporate boardrooms, but in reality, it’s one of the simplest, most effective tools that any small business can use to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
Whether you're a designer, a copywriter, a coach, or a product-based business, a good checklist takes the pressure off your memory, saves you time, helps ensure nothing important slips through the cracks, and most importantly, creates consistency.
Why Use a Quality Checklist?
Before we dive into what to put into a quality checklist, let’s talk about why:
Consistency – Your clients get the same level of quality every time.
Confidence – You don’t waste energy second-guessing whether you forgot something.
Efficiency – You save time by working through a repeatable structure.
Customer Satisfaction – Fewer mistakes means happier clients and a stronger reputation.
Simply put, it’s a small thing with a big impact.
What to Include in a Basic Quality Checklist
Here’s a flexible framework that you can tailor to suit your business. You might need just a few of these sections or all of them. The key is to keep it clear, relevant, and easy to use.
1. Deliverables Checklist
What exactly needs to be completed or handed over? This might include:
Specific documents, files, or products
Packaging or presentation requirements
Additional assets (e.g. guides, instructions, links)
Ticking this off ensures nothing gets missed at delivery to the client.
2. Accuracy Checks
This section helps catch those small but costly errors:
Spell check and grammar review
Correct names, dates, and contact details
All links working and correctly placed
Data or calculations double-checked
Even just five minutes spent here can save hours of post-delivery fixes.
3. Branding or Style Consistency
This is particularly useful for creatives, marketers, and coaches:
Fonts, colours, and formatting match your brand
Tone of voice is consistent with your usual messaging
Templates or layouts follow your usual format
When everything looks and feels aligned, your business feels more professional.
4. Client-Specific Requirements
These are the custom touches that show you’ve really listened to your client:
Anything discussed in calls or emails that’s not in the original brief
Preferred formats, delivery methods, or naming conventions
Any extras you’ve offered as added value
This is where you go from “met expectations” to “exceeded expectations.”
5. Final Review or Sign-Off
It’s easy to get excited and send things off too soon. A simple prompt here can help:
Has someone else reviewed this (if needed)?
Have I given myself space to recheck with fresh eyes?
Am I proud to put my name to this?
Trust your gut here - if something feels rushed or incomplete, hold off.
6. Post-Delivery Actions
The job’s not done once it’s delivered. Add prompts for follow-up:
Ask for feedback or a testimonial
Set a reminder to check in (especially for ongoing clients)
Archive files in the correct place
Add notes to your CRM or project tracker
You’re not just completing work, you’re building relationships.
Bonus Tip: Keep It Visual
Don’t just bury your checklist in a folder. Stick it somewhere visible or turn it into a digital template. Tools like Trello, Notion, ClickUp, or even a laminated sheet on your desk or a flow diagram on a pinboard can work wonders.
Need Help Creating a Quality Checklist That Works for Your Business?
Templates are great, but the best quality checklists are tailored to your unique way of working. If you’re unsure where to start, or you’ve outgrown your current systems, I can help.
Through my Coffee Hour sessions, we’ll:
Review your current client process
Identify where things slip through the cracks
Create a practical checklist you’ll actually use
Get in touch via Instagram, Facebook, or my website’s contact form. Let’s take the pressure off your brain and put structure in place that supports your growth.
