Client onboarding checklist template

1. Confirm the signed scope and source-of-record link

   Verify that the approved scope is accessible in the contract repository and record only a neutral reference here.

   High priority 7 days before kickoff date
   • □ Approved scope is available to the delivery owner
   • □ Neutral source-of-record reference is recorded

2. Define a neutral client code and first success outcome

   Choose a recognizable internal label and write one observable outcome that demonstrates useful early progress.

   High priority 6 days before kickoff date
   • □ Neutral client code is agreed
   • □ First useful outcome is measurable

3. Identify the decision maker and day-to-day owner

   Confirm who can make scope decisions and who will coordinate normal inputs, questions, and scheduling.

   Medium priority 6 days before kickoff date
   • □ Decision maker is confirmed
   • □ Day-to-day client owner is confirmed

1. Create the approved communication and project channels

   Set up only the channels needed for delivery and state where urgent, routine, and authoritative messages belong.

   Medium priority 5 days before kickoff date
   • □ Primary delivery channel is ready
   • □ Channel purpose and response expectations are stated

2. Request the minimum necessary access

   List only access required for the first milestone, with an approving owner and an expiry or review date.

   High priority 5 days before kickoff date
   • □ Every request has an approving owner
   • □ Temporary access has an expiry or review date
   • □ Credentials will be exchanged through an approved secrets manager

3. Confirm communication cadence and escalation path

   Agree on normal update timing, response expectations, and the named path for blockers or urgent decisions.

   Medium priority 4 days before kickoff date
   • □ Routine update cadence is scheduled
   • □ Escalation route and response expectation are clear

1. Prepare and circulate the kickoff agenda

   Send a short agenda focused on outcomes, roles, known constraints, immediate decisions, and next actions.

   Medium priority 2 days before kickoff date
   • □ Agenda and required pre-reading are sent
   • □ Decisions needed during kickoff are named

2. Run the client kickoff

   Use the agenda to confirm the desired outcome, working boundary, responsibilities, constraints, and first milestone.

   High priority On kickoff date
   • □ Outcome, scope, and non-goals are confirmed
   • □ Owners and decision rights are confirmed
   • □ Known risks and missing inputs are surfaced

3. Publish kickoff decisions and actions

   Write a concise recap with each decision, action owner, due date, and unresolved question while context is fresh.

   High priority 1 day after kickoff date
   • □ Decisions and open questions are recorded
   • □ Every action has an owner and due date

1. Schedule the first discovery or working session

   Book the next focused session with the people and source material needed to produce the first useful result.

   Medium priority 2 days after kickoff date
   • □ Required participants can attend
   • □ Required source inputs are listed in their systems of record

2. Close or escalate outstanding client inputs

   Track each missing input by owner and impact, then escalate only the items that block the first milestone.

   Medium priority 4 days after kickoff date
   • □ Blocking and non-blocking inputs are separated
   • □ Owners have a clear request and due date

3. Deliver the first useful milestone

   Complete the smallest agreed client-visible outcome and place the authoritative deliverable in its approved repository.

   High priority 7 days after kickoff date
   • □ Deliverable meets the agreed acceptance signal
   • □ Client owner knows where to review it

4. Confirm the next milestone, owners, and risks

   Close onboarding by agreeing on the next outcome, current risks, decision points, owners, and working cadence.

   Medium priority 8 days after kickoff date
   • □ Next milestone and acceptance signal are clear
   • □ Current risks and decision owners are visible

Completion stage — move finished work here.