You changed part of the routine before a lesson and the start went more smoothly. Would you use the new routine for every lesson from tomorrow? Pick one change you tried and compare two situations that were as similar as possible. You should end up with a decision the next shift can understand.
Choose two comparable school days
Write down what you changed and what would tell you it helped. For example, if you added a sign at the rental equipment pickup station, compare how often guests ask which rack to use.
Find one operating day before the change and one after it. Check how similar the activities, guest numbers, staffing and conditions were. Which differences matter depends on the change. At pickup, for example, the number of groups arriving at the same time may matter. Note any differences that could plausibly affect the result.
Record what you actually saw
Use your notes to compare the same observation on both days. If the team recorded only part of the pickup period on one day, write down which hours the record covers. A blank line leaves it open whether anyone asked a question.
Then write down what you think might explain the result and the most important question you still have. Someone else can use that note to observe the same situation during the next lesson. If you have no useful comparison, choose the next suitable operating day to make one.
An example from a sailing school
In this fictional example, roughly the same number of guests collect equipment on two Saturdays. On the first Saturday, the team records five questions about the buoyancy aid rack. By the second Saturday, there is a new sign on the rack. The team records one question. That Saturday, an extra member of staff was also at the entrance to direct guests.
The team keeps the sign up for one more Saturday. With similar guest numbers and normal staffing, the person responsible counts questions about the rack again. That gives the team a way to see whether the sign helps during its usual routine.
Make a decision and share it with the team
Keep the change if the observations support it and the effort fits your routine. Adjust it if the benefit is unclear or you have found a specific obstacle. Stop it if it adds work and a fair comparison shows no improvement. Record the reason, the next action and who will take it. If you need another check, add a date.
The worksheet is two pages in German. Page 2 has space for the comparison, observations, open questions and decision. Request it using the email form on this page. If you still need to choose a change to try, see the guide to reviewing a school week.
Practical knowledge for every watersports school
Resolve recurring problems at your school
Two pages in German. Use page 2 to compare similar operating days and record your decision.
- Choose similar operating days
- Record what you saw and what remains open
- Record your decision and the next step
PDF · A4 · 2 pages · German
