Checklist · Community
Community Launch Checklist for 2026
Use this community launch checklist to align your team, prioritize tasks, and execute each phase with confidence. Tasks are grouped by phase so you always know what's next. [launch guides](/resources/launch-guides) complement this checklist.
Phase 01
Foundation
- c1high2-3 days
Define goals and KPIs (Community)
Document success metrics for community growth—DAU, retention rate, engagement per member—so your team shares a clear finish line.
- c2high2-3 days
Identify target audience (Community)
Identify which audiences you're building for first—existing users, partners, industry peers—and tailor messaging to their pain points.
- c3medium1 week
Audit current state (Community)
Map your current state: existing community channels, member feedback, pain points, and engagement metrics to establish a baseline.
Phase 02
Execution
- c4medium1 week
Prioritize high-impact tasks (Community)
Rank tasks by impact and effort; focus first on initiatives that unlock the most member value relative to time invested.
- c5high2-3 days
Assign owners and deadlines (Community)
Name an owner for each task with a firm deadline; ambiguity kills momentum, and accountability drives shipping.
- c6critical1 day
Set up tracking (Community)
Set up real-time dashboards tracking active members, posts per day, and retention to spot issues immediately.
Phase 03
Launch & Review
- c7high2-3 days
Ship and verify (Community)
Release your community to the audience defined in Phase 1; verify that onboarding works and members can find value on day one.
- c8medium1 week
Measure against KPIs (Community)
Measure engagement and retention against the KPIs you set in Phase 1; identify which cohorts stick and which churn.
- c9medium1 week
Iterate on results (Community)
Act on early feedback—improve onboarding if drop-off is high, or amplify winning formats if engagement is strong.
Pro tips
- Tackle critical items first
- Review the checklist weekly
- Adapt phases to your community context