Checklists have been used successfully in fields ranging from aviation to medicine, to education. In each case, the use of checklists has improved quality, safety, and learning success by a wide margin. In software, the checklist pattern has been used for new-user onboarding in various forms for many years, with a prominent example being LinkedIn's motivational meter for "completing your profile."

There are four reasons we recommend you use the Appcues Checklist to support your users during onboarding:

1. It's predictable: Users are automatically introduced to the Checklist experience the first time they see it, and they know how to get back to their tasks.
2. It's motivational: As users complete tasks, the checklist pops up to reward them, update their progress, and clearly show them the next step, which builds momentum. It also breaks down the often daunting task of learning a new product into parts, making users more likely to complete it.
3. It puts end users in control: Unlike a walkthrough, the Checklist shows the path and gives the user power over their own learning experience, making for a more engaging UX.
4. It's informative: It informs the user, but it also informs you by quickly unearthing what works and what doesn't in the first moments you meet a new customer. 

Interested in learning more about checklists and some best practices to make them most impactful to your users? Check out our best practices guide!