Getting approval for a new initiative feels like the finish line. It is the starting line. The months between approval and launch decide whether the initiative survives its first year.
Use this checklist to test your readiness. Every unchecked item shows where your team should spend the next two weeks.
People
- One named owner with authority to make daily decisions
- A team hired or assigned, with clear roles
- Training completed before opening day
- A backup for every role that only one person covers
Money
- A three-year budget, with running costs included
- Funding confirmed for at least the first year
- A simple process for approving spending
Operations
- Written procedures for the ten most common tasks
- Systems tested with real data
- A plan for what happens if demand is double your estimate
- A plan for what happens if demand is half
Measures
- Three to five success measures agreed with leadership
- A way to collect each measure without extra work
- A date for the first formal review, usually 90 days after launch
Participants
- Feedback from the people you plan to serve
- A clear way for them to sign up or get in touch
- A plan for the first 100 participants
Run a dry rehearsal
One week before launch, walk through a full day of operations with your team. Use real systems and real forms. Fix every problem you find. Most launch issues show up during rehearsal, when they cost little to fix.
The takeaway
Launches fail on details, rarely on ideas. Work through this list with your team, and treat every unchecked item as a launch risk.
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