6.4Checklists & templates
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Before launching: framed process, classified data, right tool per link, modelled base, identified quick win.
- Before producing: real test, early filter, encrypted secrets, retry + alert, doc and ROI.
- Rule: a checklist ticked every time beats a method known by heart — in a rush, you execute.
Lina thread — the sheets at hand
After one year, both sheets below are displayed at Lina’s desk: the pre-project one next to her screen, the production one in her drawer with the contact’s details. “What saved me,” she says in substance, “is not knowing the points, it is ticking them every time — especially in rush weeks.”
Adapt the wording to your context, keep the structure: it is what prevents omissions and incidents.
Two lists to keep at hand
One checklist before launching a no-code project, one before moving an automation into production. They turn good reflexes into a verifiable routine.
Before launching a no-code project
- The process is framed: trigger, clear rules, current time, good candidate (stable, repetitive).
- Data is classified by sensitivity (public / internal / personal) and hosted in the right place.
- The right tool is chosen for each link (organise / structure / connect / create / collect).
- The base is modelled cleanly (one table per entity, typed fields, relations) before any app.
- A quick win is identified to start with (high impact, low effort).
Before moving an automation into production
- The scenario has been tested with real data and the mapping checked.
- A filter is placed early to process only what is useful (controlled operations).
- Secrets (API keys) are encrypted, with minimal rights — never in plain text.
- Error handling is in place: retry, fallback, alert (never a silent failure).
- The workflow is documented (role, trigger, owner) and the ROI estimated.
Ready-to-say script — validating a production release (30 s)
«Tested with real data and mapping checked? Early filter placed? Secrets encrypted with minimal rights? Retry, fallback and alert in place? Doc and ROI noted? If any no, we do not move into production.»
Copy-paste template — project + production tracking (1 line per point)
PROJECT of ...: process framed (trigger, rules, time): OK / to redo
DATA classified by sensitivity + hosting: OK / to redo
TOOL per link + base modelled before the app: OK / to redo
QUICK WIN identified: OK / to redo
PRODUCTION: real test + mapping checked: OK / to redo
Early FILTER placed: OK / to redo
SECRETS encrypted, minimal rights: OK / to redo
RETRY + fallback + alert: OK / to redo
DOC (role, trigger, owner) + ROI: OK / to redoVSE / small budget
Sheets on one page posted on the wall: the essentials (frame, link, filter early, secret, alert) are enough.
SME Algeria
Plan local realities into the sheet: known contacts, peaks, travel, usual notification channels.
Remote / hybrid
Add a written-confirmation line to tracking: at a distance, a dated, validated production release avoids misunderstandings.
Intercultural
Spell out labels in writing: what seems obvious (who validates, which channel) is not obvious to everyone.
48h challenge — apply tomorrow
Take 1 real project, run the “before launching” checklist and tick where it stands. Note the contact on the production sheet.
- I ticked a checklist on a real project.
- I know when to pull out the pre-project and pre-production sheets.
- I did the 48h challenge or scheduled its date.
Lina is about to move her scenario into production. What must she tick first?
Tip: print the production-release sheet and keep it near your workstation — in a rush week, you execute, you no longer think.