FREE 10+ Opening Checklist Samples in MS Word | Pages | Google Docs | PDF

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What Is an Opening Checklist?

An opening checklist contains a list of tasks and duties performed during a business’s opening period. An enterprise’s opening hour is an integral part of its daily operation. It’s a time slot that grooms the establishment at its best before the clients and customers start trickling in. The checklist serves as a valuable reminder for everyone on what to do as soon as its doors are open to ensure a smooth-sailing workday for all the staff.

Why You Should Use Opening and Closing Checklists

There’s no establishment busier than a restaurant, especially when the business well. The long waiting lines and the packed reservations forms might mean that the place is at the height of its success, but this also means exhausted staff and a hectic kitchen. According to Chron, restaurants rely on the preparedness of the establishment to achieve the cooperation of its personnel and suppliers. Bizfluent also stresses the importance of keenness in detail. This is where opening and closing checklists come into play. They provide benefits that help hectic businesses such as restaurants better prepare in performing their services.

Here are other reasons why opening and closing checklists matters:

1. It promotes accountability. The checklists make everyone aware of their duties on both the start and the end of the day. When neglect occurs, it’s easy to identify which item on the task list was not accomplished and who was responsible for it.

2. It prioritizes safety. The start and the end of the day is a crucial time for an establishment. You never know what happened the night before what it was closed and what can happen after you locked its doors. Including safety measures on the checklist can contribute a lot to keeping it safe and untouched from threats.

3. It ensures that everything gets covered. A checklist is a valuable reminder tool to keep anyone from missing important tasks.

How to Make an Opening Checklist

Here are some useful steps when making an opening checklist:

1. Identify Opening Activities

Start the process by identifying the different activities involved during the opening time of your establishment. Your task lists should depend on the type of business operation you’re managing. There are also factors to consider. Do you need to clean or did you have the area cleaned the night before? Do you need to turn all machines on before the employees can punch their timesheets or should you wait for them? Do you expect early customers? Gather all the things you need to prepare as soon as you walk through the doors of your restaurant, store, factory, or any industry you’re involved in. If you’re new to this and don’t have an inkling of what to write, refer to our samples above.

2. Categorize List Items

It’s difficult to identify the order of your activities if you’re keeping all together as one long list of assigned tasks. Tracking your progress would prove to be a challenge, as well. It will help you oversee all of these if you categorize all of them accordingly. If you’re handling a retail store, check if there are enough supplies for the day in the storage area and examining if all products are in good condition should fall under the “Inventory Check.” On the other hand, switching on the machines and equipment around the store to make sure that they’re fit for the day’s schedule can be under “Equipment Surveillance.”

3. Include Relevant Notes

Aside from merely putting together a list of tasks that you need to accomplish, it’s also helpful if you added relevant notes to each task, especially if you’re assigning each of them to several people. This keeps them reminded of what to do instead of doing just what the task on the list says. For example, if you want to have the oven deep cleaned every two weeks before using it for the day, you can attach a reminder on the task. This is also the reason why it’s important to update your checklist whenever there you need to change some details or if you have new equipment to take care of. Aside from organizing your early opening work schedule, this can also serve as a helpful guide on what to do daily.

4. Make the Checklist Available to All

Make your checklist available to everyone involved in performing the tasks mentioned on its lineup. Assign copies to your staff, ask them to pin it on their computers, or have the document posted on your establishment’s bulletin board for everyone to see. This way, it can serve its purpose of informing people what they need to accomplish.

FAQs

Starting your day right is crucial if you want the rest of your day’s operation to be in the best state possible for your clients. An opening checklist makes this possible by helping you identify which items you should oversee before welcoming people in. Take a look at our opening checklist templates and use them for this valuable purpose. Make the best selection and download now!