# The Ultimate Product Launch Checklist

Launching a new product is a complex, multi‑step journey. Use this checklist to keep every task front‑and‑center, ensure cross‑functional alignment, and hit your launch date with confidence. Print it out, tick items off in real time, and customize as needed for your specific product and market.

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## Phase 1: Market & Customer Validation  

- [ ] Conduct 5–10 in‑depth interviews with target‑customer personas.  
- [ ] Run a survey (≥200 responses) to validate demand and price sensitivity.  
- [ ] Analyze competitor offerings, pricing, and positioning.  
- [ ] Create a value‑proposition canvas and get stakeholder sign‑off.  
- [ ] Build a minimum viable product (MVP) prototype or mock‑up.  
- [ ] Test the MVP with a closed beta group (≥20 users) and collect NPS feedback.  
- [ ] Refine product features based on beta insights.  
> 💡 **Tip:** Capture qualitative quotes in a shared doc; they’re gold for later marketing copy.  

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## Phase 2: Product Development & QA  

- [ ] Finalize product specifications and create a detailed feature backlog.  
- [ ] Set up a sprint schedule (e.g., 2‑week sprints) with clear deliverables.  
- [ ] Conduct weekly stand‑ups and maintain a transparent Kanban board.  
- [ ] Complete unit testing for 100% of new code/modules.  
- [ ] Perform integration testing across all system components.  
- [ ] Run a full QA cycle (functional, usability, performance, security).  
- [ ] Document known issues and create a mitigation plan.  
- [ ] Obtain sign‑off from product owner and QA lead.  
> 💡 **Tip:** Use automated testing tools where possible to speed up regression cycles.  

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## Phase 3: Go‑to‑Market (GTM) Planning  

- [ ] Define launch goals (e.g., revenue, acquisition, market share) and KPIs.  
- [ ] Segment target audience and map the buyer’s journey.  
- [ ] Craft core messaging, taglines, and elevator pitch.  
- [ ] Build a launch website/landing page with SEO‑optimized copy.  
- [ ] Prepare sales enablement assets (battle cards, demo scripts, ROI calculator).  
- [ ] Create a content calendar (blog posts, webinars, case studies) for the first 30 days.  
- [ ] Set up paid media campaigns (Google, LinkedIn, Meta) with tracking pixels.  
- [ ] Align PR strategy: draft press release, identify media outlets, and schedule embargo.  
> 💡 **Tip:** Pre‑schedule social posts using a tool like Buffer or Hootsuite to maintain momentum.  

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## Phase 4: Operations & Logistics  

- [ ] Confirm inventory levels or cloud capacity for the launch date.  
- [ ] Set up order fulfillment workflow (warehouse, shipping partners, tracking).  
- [ ] Integrate payment gateways and test end‑to‑end checkout.  
- [ ] Configure customer support channels (live chat, email, phone) and create FAQ.  
- [ ] Train support team on product features and troubleshooting scripts.  
- [ ] Establish monitoring dashboards for uptime, error rates, and performance.  
- [ ] Conduct a full “dry run” of the purchase process from discovery to receipt.  
> 💡 **Tip:** Simulate high‑traffic spikes using load‑testing tools to avoid surprise outages.  

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## Phase 5: Launch Execution  

- [ ] Send pre‑launch teaser emails to the subscriber list (≥3 touchpoints).  
- [ ] Publish the press release and distribute to media contacts.  
- [ ] Activate paid media campaigns and monitor spend vs. ROAS daily.  
- [ ] Go live with the product website and ensure all tracking codes fire correctly.  
- [ ] Host a launch webinar or live demo for early adopters.  
- [ ] Engage influencers/partners for co‑promotions and affiliate links.  
- [ ] Monitor social listening for brand mentions and sentiment.  
- [ ] Capture real‑time sales data and compare against launch targets.  
> 💡 **Tip:** Assign a “launch commander” to centralize communications and make rapid decisions.  

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## Phase 6: Post‑Launch Review & Optimization  

- [ ] Collect customer feedback via NPS survey and support tickets.  
- [ ] Analyze performance metrics (CAC, LTV, churn, conversion funnel).  
- [ ] Identify top 3 friction points and create an action plan to fix them.  
- [ ] Update product roadmap based on market response.  
- [ ] Refresh marketing assets (case studies, testimonials) for ongoing campaigns.  
- [ ] Conduct a retrospective meeting with all stakeholders; document lessons learned.  
- [ ] Celebrate wins and recognize team contributions.  
> 💡 **Tip:** Turn quantitative insights into a one‑page “Launch Dashboard” for executive visibility.  

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## How to use this checklist  

1. **Print or duplicate** the list in your project management tool (e.g., Asana, Trello).  
2. **Assign owners** to each task and set realistic due dates aligned with your launch timeline.  
3. **Check off items** as they’re completed; use the inline 💡 tips for quick guidance.  
4. **Review weekly** during stand‑ups to surface blockers and re‑prioritize.  
5 **Customize** sections or add new rows to fit product‑specific requirements (e.g., regulatory approvals, localization).  

Keep this checklist visible to the entire launch team—visibility drives accountability and ensures nothing slips through the cracks. Good luck, and may your launch be a smashing success!