Planning
- Prepare a launch plan - cover all tasksto be performed by production, marketing, sales, product support, and other departments.
- Make sure the departments understand their responsibilities for launch tasks.
- Make sure the departments have dedicated the required resources to support product launch.
- Ensure that all preparations have been completed and the product is ready to launch.
Technical
- Evaluate the product performance through testing.
- Make sure the product meets its defined requirements.
- Ensure the product and the production process have been validated.
- Make sure that all regulatory approvals and certifications have been obtained.
- Check if the product design documentation has been completed and approved.
- Make sure the technical data sheets have been prepared.
- Ensure that the user documentation, manuals and maintenance instructions have been completed.
- Make sure the engineering personnel is ready to address any issues that might arise.
Operations
- Make sure the manufacturing process documentation or outputs are complete.
- Ensure the production processes have been proven using either pilot or actual production lines.
- Check if traning has been provided to all production workers.
- Ensure the demand forecast data has been established.
- Select and qualify all suppliers.
- Ensure the needed materials and parts are on-order or in stock.
- Check the personnel to support planned production.
- The distribution pipeline is filled with the appropriate level of product.
Marketing and Sales
- Key customer feedback, focus groups, test markets, or beta tests were performed prior to launch.
- Make sure the testimonials or case studies have been prepared.
- Develop a promotion and advertising plan.
- Develop advertising copy and prepare media contracts and arrangements.
- Develop promotional materials and sales literature for distribution.
- Identify sales and distribution channels.
- Sales personnel have been trained and have the sales support material and product samples.
- Product pricing has been established and approved.
- Final packaging has been designed, approved and ordered.
- The sales forecast has been updated based on the latest forecast of market demand.
- The website has been updated.
- Prepare press releases for distribution.
- Brief industry analysts or other influential personnel.
- Announce a product release.
Product Support
- Make sure necessary support resources are in place.
- Ensure service and support personnel have been trained.
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) have been identified and responses prepared.
- Troubleshooting guides, installation guides, and service manuals have been prepared.
- Spare part requirements have been planned.