checklists on complex aircraft are a valid aide memoire. no problems on that.
in simple aircraft though they can be quite funny.
I have a friend who doesnt fly often because of CASA fears.
in his start checklist is "within 30 seconds check that you have oil pressure"
I've secretly timed him. among the fumbles of rust and the missing of which line he is at he reliably completes reading the entry in 1 and a half minutes.
but he IS using the checklists!
me, I use an old wartime mnemonic after startup.
ROGER, revs oil gyro electrics and radio.
revs set
oil showing activity
gyros spinning
electrics on
radio on and set.
you have no idea how easy it was to fly an aircraft before the advent of CASA.