The reason there is no mention of a three or four column inventory in the “Twelve and Twelve” is because the book is a reflection of what was actually being done at the time. In 1952, A.A. sponsors conducted a verbal Fourth Step or used an Assets and Liabilities Checklist.

“. . . Nearly every serious emotional problem can be seen as a case of misdirected instinct. When that happens, our great natural ASSETS, the instincts, have turned into physical and mental LIABILITIES.

“Step Four is our vigorous and painstaking effort to discover what these LIABILITIES in each of us have been, and are.”

On pages 43-46, we find a detailed list of the liabilities we need to address. And then on page 46, we find another reference to the Assets and Liabilities Checklist.

“At this stage of the inventory proceedings, our sponsors come to our rescue. They can do this, for they are the carriers of A.A.’s tested experience with Step Four. They comfort the melancholy one by first showing him that his case is not strange or different, that his character defects are probably not more numerous or worse than those of anyone else in A.A. This the sponsor promptly proves by talking freely and easily, and without exhibitionism, about his own defects, past and present. This calm, yet realistic, STOCK-TAKING is immensely reassuring. The sponsor probably points out that the newcomer has some ASSETS which can be noted along with his LIABILITIES. This tends to clear away morbidity and encourage balance. As soon as he begins to be more objective, the newcomer can fearlessly, rather than fearfully, look at his own defects.”

(Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 46)

On page 48, the author states that there are several lists in use. Then he describes a checklist based on the Seven Deadly Sins.

“Now let’s ponder the need for a list of the more glaring personality defects all of us have in varying degrees. . .

“To avoid falling into confusion over the names these defects should be called, let’s take a universally recognized list of major human failings–the Seven Deadly Sins of PRIDE, GREED, LUST, ANGER, GLUTTONY, ENVY and SLOTH. . . .(Seven liabilities)

“All of these failings generate FEAR, a soul-sickness in its own right.”(Eighth liability)

On pages 50-53, we find a detailed list of questions we can ask ourselves about this checklist.  Then on page 54, the author suggests we write down these questions along with our answers.