The Power of Checklists
Surgeons use checklists. Pilots use checklists. NASA uses checklists. Why? Because even experts make mistakes, especially under pressure, and checklists ensure nothing critical gets missed.
Startup founders face constant context-switching and information overload. A good checklist reduces cognitive load, ensures consistency, and frees mental energy for the work that actually requires creativity and judgment.
These checklists cover the key phases and processes in a startup's journey. Use them as starting points, customize for your needs, and build the habit of systematic execution.
Startup Launch Checklist
Everything you need before going live
Legal & Admin
Product
Marketing & Sales
Operations
First 90 Days Checklist
Critical activities for your first quarter
Days 1-30: Validate
Days 31-60: Iterate
Days 61-90: Scale
Fundraising Readiness Checklist
Are you ready to raise?
Company Fundamentals
Metrics & Data
Materials
Process
Weekly Operations Checklist
Keep your startup running smoothly
Monday: Planning
Mid-Week: Execution
Friday: Review
Key Takeaways
- Checklists reduce errors and ensure nothing critical is missed
- Customize checklists for your specific startup context
- Use checklists for repeatable processes, not creative work
- Review and update checklists as your startup evolves
- Share checklists with your team for consistency
