Project Kickoff Checklist

This document is intended to help project managers ensure they are ready to conduct project kickoff
sessions. Project managers should review the questions asked in this checklist and make notes of any
items that are unclear/outstanding /etc. It is not necessary to have complete clarity on all of these items
ahead of the kickoff, but any areas that are still unclear require action plans.

This checklist helps provide a structured review ahead of and during the kickoff. It should be viewed as a
“sanity check” for PMs, not simply something they try to complete quickly.

Before the meeting…

Question Notes
Have all team members been identified and secured? If not, is
there a plan in place to identify and secure outstanding roles?
Have all stakeholders been identified and confirmed? Has a list of
key stakeholders been developed?
Has the project charter been signed off by all parties?
Has the project purpose been communicated to all team
members and stakeholders? Has context been provided?
Have the project organizational and RASCI charts been
completed?
Is the sponsor available to speak at the kickoff meeting? If not,
can it be rescheduled until he/she is available?
Has the initial/draft project communications plan been developed
(including kickoff)?
Has the agenda been set and distributed to all attendees?

During and after the meeting…

Question Notes
Has someone been appointed to record minutes?
Are ground rules set for the meeting (questions, respect for
others, interruptions, etc.)?
Are all outstanding/parking lot items being given owners and
follow-up dates?
Are all action item dates being met? If not, are steps being taken
to correct?
Is additional information being shared with all team members and
stakeholders?

Additional Kickoff Task Checklist

Have you…
Task
Communicated the goals of the project to all project team members to make sure that
everyone understands the objectives of the project?
Communicated the goals of the project to all project team members to make sure that
everyone understands their responsibilities in and toward the project?
Got the commitment you need for the project?
Generated enthusiasm to make things happen?
Established the leadership for the project?
Motivated the project team to follow you?
Identified critical milestones, phases and deadlines of the project?
Reviewed the overall project work plan and schedule with appropriate members of the
project team?
Explained standard operating procedures, including meetings, required documentation and
reports, and any ongoing communications necessary between project manager and the
project team?
Given those responsible for performing initial tasks the go-ahead to start working on the
project?
Established any other conditions you need so work can start getting done?
Other: