You may be a fan of list making; writing down things to do; reminders of tasks or items to pick up. Then again you might be the type of person who never writes anything down. I have always found that creating lists keep my personal as well as professional life very organized. Lists can just be a few words to jog your memory about something or they can go into a lot of detail and provide a "status" or notes as to where you have progressed with a specific item on your list.

I think everyone makes a list of things to do in some form or another. If you keep a day planner or a calendar you essentially are making a list – a reminder of an appointment or a meeting. I am a fan of working from a list and in the business of design and construction when there are so many different items to attend to and a specific order in which things need to be done the Project "To Do" List is for me an essential tool that I use on every job.

If you happened to be listening to YCCA's Saturday Morning Radio show "Hammertime" on KQNA 1130am and 99.9fm this morning you would have heard me discussing with the show hosts what it is like to be a woman in the construction industry and one of the things that I mentioned was that I have always found that a key to running an organized project is "Punch Lists" and/or Project "To Do" Lists. If you missed the show then you can tune in again on Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. or go to YCCA's website www.ycca.org where you can listen to archived recordings of the radio show.

The ability to create a detailed Punch List or Project "To Do" List that can be worked on by many people at the same time might be a little time consuming to create but once it is created then it just needs to be updated from time to time and it will become a tracking tool of the job from start to finish. Here are my tips on how to create a detailed Project "To Do" List:

Start by creating a "Scope of Work". This is essentially a list of the work that is going to be done on the job.

For instance if you are remodeling your bathroom then the list should address all of the items you are going to change in the bathroom. For instance:

• Remove existing tub and install new whirlpool tub
• Electrical will need to be added for whirlpool motor
• Remove existing tile in Shower and replace with new material
• [tile, marble, quartz – material to be determined]
• Refinish existing cabinetry
• Install new countertop
• Install new sink
• Install new mirror
• Install new light fixtures
• Paint Ceiling
• Paint Walls
• Install new towel rods
• Install hardware on cabinetry
• Install new water saving toilet

From the "Scope of Work" the Project "To Do" List is then created. This is the list where you write down the tasks for others to do and the order in which they need to be done. I find that if the job consists of more than one room or area then it is best to break the "To Do" List into subcategories on a room by room or area basis. Below is an Example of a list off of one of my current projects.

Master Bedroom:

• Install Casing and Trim around Windows
• Install Trim around Doors
• Install Baseboard
• PF to remove existing parquet flooring
• Install pad
• Install carpet
• Touch up paint on walls
• Install ceiling fan
• Install wall sconces in bed alcove
• Final construction cleaning

Master Closet:

• Install new pocket door
• Install Trim around Doors
• Install Baseboard
• PF to remove existing parquet flooring
• Install pad
• Install carpet
• Touch up paint on walls
• Install closet shelving system
• Install light fixtures

Master Bathroom:

• Install new pocket doors
• Install Trim around Doors
• Install Baseboard
• Fabricate access panel for Whirlpool
• Patch hole in ceiling of water closet
• Install ½" quartz at opening from water closet to tub on sides and top so that glass block can be installed
• Install glass block in opening from water closet to tub

When I am initially making my lists on projects I'll write everything down on a legal pad and I keep these notes to refer back to. Eventually the notes on the legal pad will get transferred to a software/computer program so that it becomes easier to update the list as items are completed. Also computer generated lists are easier to share with the subcontractors on the job and also with my clients. On very large projects I will post the list in each room and I will also then create separate lists for each vendor so that they know what they need to do in each room or area of the project when they are on the job.

As the job progresses then the "To Do" List should be reviewed from time to time and updated with new notes being added and items that are completed should be removed from the list. The best way to update the list is to take it with you room to room and look around; make notes of the items that you see which still need to be done or which have been completed or which are partially completed.

It takes a lot of experience in project management be to able to create detailed lists to the extent that professionals do for their jobs so don't worry if you do not know exactly how to put items in specific order. Remember even the most basic "To Do" List on a project is better than no list at all and you will find that these reminders will help you to keep the projects that you do yourself moving forward.