A B737 crew reported a ground taxiway incursion while taxiing for takeoff because the first officer ...

Narrative:

Taxing out we contact ramp for push and we were told by ramp to expect runway xxl or xxr. We had expected runway xy and had everything set up for that runway. So on push back we change the runway to xxr. We decided to start both engines due to quick taxi to xxr. We contact ground and receive a clearance to taxi to xxl via G and wa. Then ground informs us that we exited the wrong exit. I did not notice that until he said something as I was heads down doing a runway change and talking on [the] radio. I noticed that the captain had turned the correct direction and was heading the correct way when I started the change. We were on the green line and I think when he got to the next line thought it was an. So there was a bit of confusion. Ground says no problem and we proceed down G. I am heads down again as I have to get new numbers change runway make sure everything is correct and run the before takeoff checklist. The new procedures and checklist are still cumbersome for me as a reserve pilot I have only had a handful of trips using it and find that it takes me out of a lot of the taxi. As I am making the changes the captain slows and asks about the signage. We are at the intersection of G; B4; and wa. Ground asks us where we are going and I respond wa xxl. They say to go through the wa pad to xxl. We had missed the turn to wa. I had no idea until the captain slowed as I was trying to get all the changes and checklists done. We continued through the pad with no further problems and departed.I feel that the new procedures with the long taxi checklist are cumbersome. Although that will get a little better with time and familiarity. It still takes me out of the loop for large portions of the taxi. Runway changes are now a bigger problem as there is a lot more to do with getting new numbers making changes and running the checklist again and possible starting an engine. I guess we should have just taxied to the hold pad stopped and done all the changes before continuing.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737 crew reported a ground taxiway incursion while taxiing for takeoff because the First Officer was heads down with checklist duties; out of the situational awareness loop and the Captain is not aware of checklist status.

Narrative: Taxing out we contact ramp for push and we were told by ramp to expect runway XXL or XXR. We had expected Runway XY and had everything set up for that runway. So on push back we change the runway to XXR. We decided to start both engines due to quick taxi to XXR. We contact ground and receive a clearance to taxi to XXL via G and WA. Then ground informs us that we exited the wrong exit. I did not notice that until he said something as I was heads down doing a runway change and talking on [the] radio. I noticed that the Captain had turned the correct direction and was heading the correct way when I started the change. We were on the green line and I think when he got to the next line thought it was AN. So there was a bit of confusion. Ground says no problem and we proceed down G. I am heads down again as I have to get new numbers change runway make sure everything is correct and run the before takeoff checklist. The new procedures and checklist are still cumbersome for me as a reserve pilot I have only had a handful of trips using it and find that it takes me out of a lot of the taxi. As I am making the changes the Captain slows and asks about the signage. We are at the intersection of G; B4; and WA. Ground asks us where we are going and I respond WA XXL. They say to go through the WA pad to XXL. We had missed the turn to WA. I had no idea until the Captain slowed as I was trying to get all the changes and checklists done. We continued through the pad with no further problems and departed.I feel that the new procedures with the long taxi checklist are cumbersome. Although that will get a little better with time and familiarity. It still takes me out of the loop for large portions of the taxi. Runway changes are now a bigger problem as there is a lot more to do with getting new numbers making changes and running the checklist again and possible starting an engine. I guess we should have just taxied to the hold pad stopped and done all the changes before continuing.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1301231
Time
Date	201510
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Checklists
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 135 Flight Crew Type 3383
Person 2
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 181 Flight Crew Type 1048
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Ground Incursion Taxiway

A B737 crew reported a ground taxiway incursion while taxiing for takeoff because the first officer was heads down with checklist duties; out of the situational awareness loop and the captain is not aware of checklist status.