Calculation Set Checklist

Calculation sets can be considered in much the same light as other products of a company. In many efforts, calculation sets may be the only tangible products. Therefore quality assurance is as important in the preparation of calculation sets as it is in the manufacture of hardware items or complex systems.

This quality assurance and control must be exercised by knowledgeable and objective individuals with sufficient authority to initiate corrective action as appropriate. The checklists presented below are for use in accomplishing the review and quality control of various facets of a calculation set.

Checklist for Table of Contents

1. Do the contents accurately and consistently reflect what the calculations cover?
2. Do the main divisions or heads follow some logical principle?
3. Does each subsequent subdivision follow some logical principle (not necessarily the same as for the main heads)?
4. Is each main problem sufficiently subdivided to bring out all of the significant ideas?
5. Is the numbering system consistent throughout?
6. Do the titles on the lists of figures and tables accurately reflect the type and general content?
7. Do the lists of figures and tables include any obvious or approximate duplications?

Checklist for the Problem Statement

1. Is a statement of the problem being considered presented?
2. Are the purpose and objectives of the calculation set defined?
3. Are the circumstances or conditions associated with the problem clarified?
4. Are the highlights of the information presented in the detailed sections summarized?
5. Is attention focused on the key conclusions and recommendations?
6. Is the plan or organization of the calculation set defined?

Checklist for the Detailed Calculations 

This checklist is intended for the evaluation of presentation for a particular problem or problem set. The checking should actually be accomplished in six separate and distinct reviews, each focused on a particular characteristic. These six reviews should consider the following:

• Structure and coherency.
• Completeness and conciseness.
• Accuracy of facts.
• Clarity and exactness.
• Overall integrity and appearance.

Structure and Coherency

1. Are any calculations out of logical order?
2. Is each subdivision complete within itself and logically positioned within the overall outline?
3. Is the logic within each subdivision consistent?
4. Does the problem statement agree with the detailed and conclusions?
5. Are appropriate transitions and introductory material included where necessary?

Completeness and Conciseness

1. Are any important calculations omitted or not fully covered?
2. Are any calculations omitted which, by their absence, will beg a question?
3. Are any calculations unnecessarily duplicated?
4. Are complete and appropriate solutions presented where problems have been noted?
5. Have all necessary facts been included without any unnecessary or unrelated information?
6. Has all irrelevant, nonessential, and trivial matter been omitted?
7. Can any material be deleted or moved to an appendix without affecting the quality of the presentation?

Accuracy of Facts

1. Have all relevant physical and chemical phenomena been correctly described?
2. Has the significance of the information presented been recognized and correctly interpreted?
3. Are all statements of fact consistent with the original sources of data?
4. Are all assumptions properly identified and defined?
5. Are all arithmetic and mathematical presentations complete, consistent, and accurate?
6. Are all references complete and accurate?
7. Are all dates, physical data, performance data, names of people and places, and other similar items consistent with the original sources?
8. Are individual facts consistently presented from one calculation set to another?
9. Do all totals accurately reflect the sum of the associated parts?

Clarity and Exactness

1. Does the narrative say exactly what it is supposed to say in the final version?
2. Do the illustrations depict exactly what they are supposed to depict.
3. Do all of the words and phrases accurately reflect the ideas being presented?
4. Are numbers and numerals used appropriately and consistently?
5. Are abbreviations used in the calculations? If so, would the presentation be clearer if the words were spelled out?
6. Have all symbols been identified in a glossary with corresponding words or abbreviations?
7. Where used, are abbreviations either in accordance with standard definitions or properly defined?
8. Are the headings appropriate and consistent throughout?
9. Is the item-numbering system appropriate and consistent throughout?
10. Are all illustrations and formal tables referenced in the appropriate locations?
11. Do the figure and table references accurately correspond to the material being referenced?

Final Overall Review

1. Does the calculation set present a complete and logical development of the solution?
2. Is the calculation set clear and easy to read?
3. Does the calculation set reflect an appropriate balance between narrative and illustrations?
4. Does the theme come through forcefully?
5. Does the narrative reflect proper balance between important and secondary problems?
6. Does the calculation set reflect the basic "problem identification, plan of attack, basis, details, summary' theme at the overall level and at appropriate major subdivisions?
7. Are the calculations easy to follow?
8. Has sufficient prose been included to read the calculations?
9. Have conclusions of the calculations been given?
10. Are headings given and are the calculations indexed?
11. Are the calculations accurate and have error limits been noted?

Checklist for the Conclusions Sections

1. Are logical conclusions presented that easily relate the information contained in the detailed sections?
2. Is the achievement of the objectives or goals established in the problem statement recognized?
3. Are intelligent and practical recommendations commensurate with the conclusions developed?
4. Are appropriate summary statements included so as to make the closing relatively independent of the detailed sections?
5. Are statements with regard to future action presented where appropriate?

Checklist for Tables

Checklists for Illustrations

Adapted from:  Woelfle, R.M.  "Technical Reports". In S. Jordan, J.M. Kleiman, and H.L. Shemberg, eds. Handbook of Technical Writing Practices. Wiley-Interscience, N.Y. (1971).