Free Excel Project Launch Checklist — Pre-Launch Review Template
A comprehensive checklist covering technical setup, marketing, legal review, QA testing, and launch-day tasks. Never miss a critical step before going live.
Nothing derails a launch faster than realizing you forgot something critical. This template is a battle-tested checklist covering technical, marketing, legal, and operational readiness — so you can launch with confidence, not crossed fingers.
Key Features
🔧 Technical Checklist
- Server and hosting verification (domain, SSL, CDN)
- Error monitoring tools connected (Sentry, LogRocket, etc.)
- Backup and disaster recovery procedures confirmed
- Load testing completed
- Responsive design verified across mobile, tablet, and desktop
- Cross-browser testing (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
📣 Marketing Readiness Checklist
- Landing page final review
- Social media accounts and launch content prepared
- Press release / press kit drafted
- Email marketing campaign configured
- SEO meta tags and sitemap verified
- Analytics tools (GA4) connected and firing
⚖️ Legal Review Checklist
- Terms of service and privacy policy published
- Copyright and licensing compliance verified
- Required business permits and registrations confirmed
- Payment and refund policies clearly stated
🧪 QA Testing Checklist
- Core user flows (happy path) tested end to end
- Edge cases and error scenarios covered
- Payment flow tested (test purchase → refund)
- Signup, login, and password recovery verified
- Input validation working correctly
- Error pages (404, 500) display properly
🚀 Launch Day Checklist
- DNS propagation confirmed
- Final smoke test passed
- Customer support channels live
- Team-wide launch notification sent
- Social media announcements published
How to Use
Step 1: Set Your Launch Date
Enter the target launch date in the “Overview” sheet. Milestone deadlines for each phase are calculated automatically.
Step 2: Assign Owners
Assign a responsible person to each checklist item. Use filters to view only your assigned tasks.
Step 3: Work Through in Order
Follow the sequence: Technical → QA → Legal → Marketing → Launch Day. When every item is checked, you’re clear to go live.
Tips
Use It for Go/No-Go Meetings
One week before launch, present the completion dashboard to stakeholders. The “Dashboard” sheet shows readiness by category — making the go/no-go decision data-driven.
Run a Post-Launch Retrospective
After launch, use the “Retrospective” sheet to capture what went well, what to improve, and what to do differently next time. This becomes a reference for your next project.
FAQ
Is this only for software launches?
The default items target web and app launches, but you can adapt it for physical product releases, store openings, event launches, or any project that needs a structured go-live checklist.
How do I use this with a team?
Upload to Google Sheets and share with your team. Each person can check off their assigned items in real time, and the dashboard updates automatically.