A key element in ensuring the success of a project is a Kickoff Meeting Well prepared. An aspect that is often underestimated — but essential — is Determining the agenda Of this encounter.

Over the course of my career, I have led numerous launch meetings, and I have often observed a certain hesitation as to which topics to discuss. Here are the Sections that I recommend including On the agenda of a launch meeting:

🔹 1. Welcome from the sponsors of the project

The meeting usually starts with a speech by Main sponsors, often a senior IT manager and a manager from the business sector (s) primarily concerned.

They are taking advantage of this opportunity to:

• Explain the Business Reasons Who Justify the Project
• State the Intended Objectives,
• Offer a Vision Of the organization once the project is completed.

These people will usually be part of the Project Management Committee.

🔹 2. Presentation of the solution to be implemented

This section aims to present:

• The Name of the Or Apps to be implanted,
• Les Functional modules targeted,
• Les Major integrations with other systems.

One Architecture diagram or a module diagram is often very useful to illustrate the technical scope of the project.

🔹 3. Overall Project Schedule

The aim here is to provide an overview of the project using a clear illustration of:

• Key Phases,
• Important milestones,
• And, if applicable, of the Deployment Schedule By wave.

⚠️ It is preferable not to use diagrams generated automatically by project management tools, which are often not very suitable for presentations. Instead, get ready to clear slide in PowerPoint.

🔹 4. Project team structure

Present a Organization chart including:

• The members of the project team,
• Their managers,
• The members of Governance committees.

This allows roles and hierarchical relationships to be clarified from the start.

🔹 5. Detailed Plan for the First 5 Weeks

This section is used to mobilize the team by presenting the:

• Immediate Tasks To be carried out,
• People Involved,
• Planned dates.

This allows everyone to know exactly what to expect from the start of the project.

🔹 6. Collaboration tools

Explain what tools will be used for communication and document sharing, such as:

• Microsoft Teams,
• SharePoint,
• or any other collaborative tool.

Make sure everyone has access to it before the end of the meeting.

🔹 7. Project Governance

Describe the Governance structures implemented:

• Names and objectives of committees,
• Members,
• Frequency of meetings.

At a minimum, there are generally two levels:

• One Project Committee (operational),
• One Executive Committee (strategic).

👉 I will write a separate article on the different governance models that I have observed in my mandates.

💬 In conclusion, a well-structured launch meeting sets the tone for the entire project. It creates alignment between stakeholders, clarifies roles, and reinforces team engagement from day 1.