I think character lists/dramatis personae/cast role call are important for any novelist. Not all books should have one (if any ever do). They should be for the author only. This helps in case you forget a character or their profession.
Example:
Title of Book
Main Characters:
Jack Wells, commander, Death Commandos (human male from Rulnudor)*
Rhys Jones, commander, Liberty Rangers (human male from Libertia)
Tamara Lamnar, lieutenant, Liberty Rangers (human female from Libertia)
Jessica Green, lieutenant, Death Commandos (human female from Calassa)
Jori, lieutenant, Liberty Rangers (human female from Libertia)
Kyle Daly, reporter, Calassa News Network (human male from Calassa)
Jon Green, senator (human male from Calassa)
Prince Khariss, head of Darkstar criminal organization (human male)
Secondary Characters:
Juan Lopez; lieutenant, Liberty Rangers (human male)
Q, lieutenant; Death Commandos (Mar'ahli male)
Nick Trang; lieutenant, Death Commandos (human male)
Sarha Poland; captain, Liberty Rangers (human female)
Tessa; captain, Death Commandos (human female)
Latchton; assassin (human male)
Y'Canthra; mechanic (Azhiiry female from Azhiiry)
T'ol; mechanic (human female from Hydronkker)
Tixe; general, Rulnudor Special Operations Brigade (human male from Rulnudor)
Vhoz Lamnar; general, Libertia Special Operations Brigade (human male from Libertia)
Stone; general, Libertia Special Operations Brigade (human male from Libertia)
* = this may be different if your story is only set on earth, main stream fiction, or doesn't involve other species like dogs, cats at which point the "(human male/female)" becomes irrelevant.
I don't recommend this for all writers though. It mainly works well with Sci-Fi or Fantasy (if you have a lot of characters, mind).
