My Son Won't Focus Resulting in Forgetfulness

He is a really bright kid, problem is he is so forgetful because he doesn't focus or pay attention to anything. It is getting to be a bigger problem and it's driving my husband nuts. My son will write that he has tests in his agenda but won't bring home the study material or he'll forget the homework assignments at school.

Bedtime routines and morning routines are a constant remind remind remind to the point of stressing everyone out. So I finally made large lists of what they need before they leave the house, lunch, homework, backpack, coat, boots, mitts, (even coat and boots will be forgotten as he leaves the house.) While I was at it I made lists for what to do when he gets home, goes to bed, gets up in the morning and a very large one for my daughter reminding her to wash her hands in the bathroom.

I am going to leave them up for 8 weeks and see if that will help him create habits that will last a lifetime. I'm hoping by having the checklist in front of his face we won't be constantly at him reminding him of basic things.

Any other ideas would be appreciated.