Are you a PM or BA who has been assigned a project or platform that is new to your company? If so, you may find that there’s a learning curve for everything that needs to be executed, especially when it comes to the launch. Not all platforms are the same; they can require different steps to go live. Below is a list of steps I take when creating a launch checklist.
Meet with Your Team
Start by meeting with your team and stakeholders to create a list of action items needed for the launch. Ask each individual what they need to complete, when they need to finish it, and how long it will take. Don’t just focus on activities for the day of the launch; also inquire about tasks that need to be completed in the days, weeks, and even months leading up to it. Remember, there may also be post-launch activities to consider.
List in Order
After compiling your action items, group them into time frames. I like to break them down into categories: one month before launch, two weeks before launch, the day before launch, the day of launch, and post-launch. Work with your team to identify any dependencies between tasks. Some team members may not be able to complete their tasks until others are finished, while some tasks can be done in parallel.
Creating the Checklist
Once you have your list of activities, you’re ready to create a checklist to distribute to your team. Consider including the following fields:
- Name of the task
- Start Date
- End Date
- Duration
- Person Assigned to the Task
Distribute and Notify
After completing your checklist, share it with everyone on your team. It may be helpful to store it in a shared drive where all team members can access and update it. Depending on the activities required, you might also need to contact third parties or vendors to handle certain tasks on their end.
Update Often
As you work through the tasks, ensure that team members are updating the checklist regularly. If you’re focusing on action items to be completed before the launch, it’s a good idea to check in with the team during scrums or status meetings to confirm they are on track to complete everything on time.
Do you have any other tips or ideas on how to approach launch checklists? Feel free to leave a comment!
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