Initiation Readiness & Kickoff Checklist

Purpose

The Initiation Readiness & Kickoff Checklist provides a structured mechanism for Project Managers to confirm that all critical prerequisites are in place before a project formally enters execution. Its purpose is to ensure lean PM teams (1–3 members) can consistently validate project readiness, minimize overlooked risks, and set a clear baseline for communication and execution.

In many projects, delays and conflicts occur not because of technical issues but because governance, approvals, or expectations were not adequately clarified at the start. This checklist addresses that gap by offering a repeatable verification process that forces accountability on core aspects such as charter approval, stakeholder identification, RAID log creation, and communication setup. By embedding these validations, PMs can confidently proceed to the kickoff knowing that project foundations are sound.

This document also ensures sponsors and stakeholders see evidence that initiation activities were not skipped or compressed. In lean teams, where bandwidth is limited, the checklist prevents important governance steps from being deprioritized. It acts as both a quality gate and a communication tool, confirming that Memorres’ project management standards are being applied consistently across all engagements.

Scope

The checklist applies to all projects initiated under the Memorres Project Management Department. It is mandatory for both client-facing and internal projects before execution begins. The scope of this checklist covers readiness validation at the end of initiation and the conduct of the kickoff meeting.

Specifically, this checklist must be completed once the Project Charter has been drafted, reviewed, and approved. It verifies alignment on objectives, scope, governance, assumptions, risks, dependencies, communication cadence, and stakeholder responsibilities. It also ensures that kickoff meetings are properly structured, documented, and concluded with a shared understanding of project direction.

The checklist does not replace detailed planning documents such as the Work Breakdown Structure, Baseline Schedule, or RAID log updates. Instead, it confirms that these documents either exist in initial form or have planned timelines for completion. The responsibility for completing and filing this checklist rests with the Project Manager, with oversight from the Project Sponsor or PMO.

Main Section

Table: Initiation Readiness & Kickoff Checklist

Closing Note & Cross-References

The Initiation Readiness & Kickoff Checklist is a mandatory quality gate ensuring projects transition smoothly from initiation to planning without missing critical governance elements. Once completed, it becomes part of the permanent project record in MIC, providing assurance that authorization, stakeholder alignment, and communication commitments were secured before execution.