Project Kickoff Checklist

Never kick off without a signed agreement. Ensure both parties have copies and understand the terms.

Brief your team on what was sold, the client's expectations, and any nuances from the sales process.

Create a brief deck covering introductions, project overview, timeline, process, and next steps.

Create the project, add tasks, set milestones, and invite team members so you can demo during kickoff.

Share the agenda at least 2 days before. Include a brief description of what to prepare.

Both agency and client sides. Clarify who does what and who the primary contacts are.

Align on the "why." What does success look like? How will results be measured?

Review what's included (and what's not). Share the project timeline and key milestones.

Agree on tools, frequency of check-ins, response time expectations, and escalation paths.

Open the floor for discussion. Document any new decisions or changes to scope.

End with clear assignments for both teams. Who does what by when? Send recap after the meeting.

Within 24 hours, share a summary of decisions, action items, deadlines, and any scope clarifications.

Central reference document with goals, brand guidelines, contacts, credentials, and key decisions.

Organize folders for deliverables, assets, reference materials, and approvals. Grant client access.

Invite the client to your portal. Set up project views, file sharing, and communication channels.

Book weekly or biweekly check-ins. Send calendar invites with a standing agenda template.

Designate who owns the project internally and who is the client's primary point of contact.

Break the first phase into specific tasks. Assign owners and due dates in your project management tool.

Designers, developers, copywriters, strategists—ensure each person knows their deliverables and timing.

Check for conflicts, PTO, and other commitments. Adjust timelines if resources are constrained.

Send a warm introduction email with photos, roles, and direct contact info for each team member.

Provide login details, quick-start guides, and a walkthrough of how to submit feedback and requests.

Define how long the client has to review deliverables. Delays in approvals delay the project.

Who signs off on deliverables? How many rounds of revision? Understanding this prevents bottlenecks.

Answer common questions upfront: how to submit requests, what to expect each week, and who to contact.

Break the project into discovery, execution, review, and launch phases with clear dates.

Major deliverable dates, client review periods, and go/no-go decision points.

What requires client input before you can proceed? Flag these early and build buffer time.

Walk the client through the timeline. Confirm they can meet their deadlines for reviews and approvals.

Configure automatic reminders for upcoming deadlines in your project management tool.