Launching a new product is quite a daunting process. If you are finding it hard to launch your next product, you don’t have to worry. We have come up with the tips to build the launch checklist that will make the work easier for you. This checklist ensures that your upcoming product launch is a huge success. Product management consulting firms ensure that you accomplish the goals that you have set for the product. So, what are the steps to build a checklist, and what things should you take care of? Keep reading to fetch yourself all the answers.
List Of Deliverables
You will witness a blank slate of a launch checklist after creating your first launch within the Product Plan. Make a list of the launch tasks that you can consider to launch your next product. Your launch might not be the first launch of your life. And if that’s not the case, pay attention to the checklist of the past launch and bring the tasks from that list to the new list.
Create something useful with your product plan. See what are the available options that can work well with your next launch. After finalizing the options, share them with your team and listen to their feedback. The launch of every product differs. As a result, you may need to make slight changes to the options depending on your launch goal and target audience.
Start Your Launch List Early
Being a professional in the product field, you might think that it is your responsibility to do everything for the next launch in the product organization structure. But there is more to it. Many product launches go beyond the conventional field of product management. For instance – there is a marketing team that is responsible for designing sales campaigns and creating product visibility. Additionally, the marketing team also helps customers to understand the utility of the latest thing.
Many times you are not the expert to know the nitty-gritty of tasks included in launching the product. So, add your teammates to the checklist to collaborate with you.
Your launch checklist should reflect visibility in it. It helps initiate the conversations that are needed for the success of the product. Making a product launch successful is not just the responsibility of the product team, but it is the responsibility of everyone. Besides, involve the stakeholders early in the process of product launch.
Deliverables Should Have a Single Owner
Every launch includes tasks from various persons. For instance – A project like a sales enablement task includes not only a sales engineer but also a product marketing group and group of salespeople. But still, it is better to have one person on whom you can rely for driving the task forward and determining whether all the tasks are completed on time or not. Having a single owner means that you are able to create greater accountability amongst your team members.
Create a Playbook
All product launches are different. Some launches require more resources than others. Creating a playbook in such a scenario helps categorize your launches. You won’t have to spend more time planning with the help of a playbook.
Launching the product on the basis of tiers like tier 1 and tier 2 could be your way out. The number of tiers indicates the resources and efforts required to make that product launch successful. It will help prioritize your launches.
Who is the target audience of your product? Categorize your product launches on the basis of your target audience.
Pay attention to your product instead of the profits. Find the answer to the question named does your product have a competitive advantage over others?
It is not wrong to say that building a playbook is important for each launch.
Deliverable Tasks
There are a few subtasks under every task. Include only those subtasks that will help you reach your goal. You don’t want to entangle yourself in a wide range of deliverables. So, select what is required and sufficient to accomplish your goals.
Create a Cadence
Timing matters everywhere. There is a set timeline starting from when the things are assigned and when they get completed at the final marketing part. You need to know these tasks and have control over them. Keep in regular touch with your task owner and product specialists. Ensure the stakeholders that you are meeting their demands.
To Sum It Up
Believe it or not, a product checklist is a weapon that makes your life more manageable if you are a product person. And if all the team members contribute whole-heartedly towards these tasks, then no one can stop you from launching a great product.
At last, it couldn’t be more right when Thomas Schranz, Founder, and CEO of Blossom, said
Good companies manage engineering. Great companies manage the product.