What is box ticking?

Box ticking refers to a process wherein individuals or organizations complete checkboxes or forms to indicate that they have fulfilled a certain requirement, standard, or regulation. It is often associated with compliance or risk management in various sectors, including government, healthcare, finance, and education.

Box ticking can be viewed as a necessary component of ensuring accountability, transparency, and consistency in decision-making processes. However, it can also be criticized for being a bureaucratic and shallow approach that focuses more on meeting criteria rather than achieving meaningful outcomes.

Furthermore, the over-reliance on box ticking can create unintended consequences, such as ignoring the nuances and complexities of certain situations and promoting a culture of compliance over innovation and improvement.