The software launched. Congratulations! But launch isn't the end — it's a transition.
Here's what to do in the days, weeks, and months after go-live.
Day 1: Launch Day
Verify Everything Works
- [ ] All critical features functional
- [ ] Data migrated correctly
- [ ] Integrations operating
- [ ] User access working
- [ ] Monitoring and alerting active
Communicate
- [ ] Users notified of go-live
- [ ] Support channels open
- [ ] Known issues documented
- [ ] Escalation paths clear
Monitor Closely
- [ ] Watch for errors
- [ ] Track performance
- [ ] Note user feedback
- [ ] Log any issues
Be Available
Someone who can fix problems should be on standby. This is not the day to be unreachable.
Week 1: Stabilization
Track Issues
Create a running list:
- What broke?
- What's confusing?
- What's missing?
- What's slower than expected?
Categorize: Critical / High / Medium / Low
Fix Critical Issues
Address anything that:
- Prevents core functionality
- Affects many users
- Creates wrong data
- Poses security risk
Gather Feedback
Actively ask users:
- What's working?
- What's not?
- What's confusing?
- What's missing?
Don't wait for complaints — seek input.
Document Workarounds
If something's broken, how do users work around it? Document and communicate.
Maintain Communication
Daily updates to stakeholders:
- What's working
- What issues exist
- What's being done
- What's coming
Weeks 2-4: Early Adoption
Track Usage
- Are people using it?
- Which features?
- Where do they get stuck?
- What's not being used?
Address Medium-Priority Issues
The immediate fires are out. Now tackle the irritants.
Refine and Adjust
Based on real usage:
- Are workflows right?
- Is navigation intuitive?
- Are defaults appropriate?
- What needs tuning?
Training Reinforcement
First-week training fades. Provide:
- Refresher sessions
- Quick reference guides
- Office hours for questions
- Tips and tricks communication
Performance Baseline
Establish baseline metrics:
- Response times
- Error rates
- Usage patterns
- User satisfaction
You'll compare against these later.
Month 1: Evaluation
Formal Review
Gather stakeholders:
- What went well?
- What didn't?
- What did we learn?
- What changes are needed?
Bug Backlog
Organize remaining issues:
- What's been fixed?
- What remains?
- What's the plan?
Feature Requests
Inevitable: users want more.
- Document all requests
- Prioritize based on value
- Plan (or explicitly defer)
Usage vs. Expectations
Is usage matching expectations?
- If yes, great
- If not, why? Training issue? UX issue? Value issue?
Success Metrics Check
Against defined success criteria:
- Early indicators trending right?
- Any red flags?
- Adjustments needed?
Months 2-3: Optimization
Refinement Projects
Address accumulated feedback:
- UX improvements
- Performance optimization
- Additional training
- Feature additions
Integration Stability
If integrations exist:
- Running reliably?
- Error handling working?
- Any sync issues?
Documentation Update
Update documentation to reflect:
- How it actually works
- Common questions
- Best practices learned
- Changes since launch
Operational Handoff
Ensure long-term owners understand:
- How to monitor
- How to troubleshoot
- Who to contact for help
- How to request changes
Month 6: Value Assessment
ROI Review
Against original business case:
- What value has been delivered?
- What's the actual ROI?
- Does it match projections?
User Satisfaction
Formal feedback:
- Survey users
- Conduct interviews
- Assess adoption
System Health
Technical assessment:
- Performance acceptable?
- Reliability good?
- Security current?
- Technical debt manageable?
Road Map
Plan the future:
- What enhancements are needed?
- What maintenance is required?
- What's the budget?
- What's the timeline?
Ongoing: Maintenance Mode
Regular Updates
- Security patches
- Dependency updates
- Bug fixes
- Minor improvements
Monitoring
- Performance trends
- Error rates
- Usage patterns
- User feedback
Periodic Reviews
Quarterly or semi-annually:
- Is it still meeting needs?
- Are there emerging requirements?
- Is the technology current?
- What investment is needed?
Common Post-Launch Mistakes
Declaring Victory Too Early
Launch is a milestone, not the finish line. Stay engaged.
Ignoring Feedback
Users tell you what's wrong. Listen and act.
No Dedicated Support
Who handles issues? If no one's responsible, nothing gets fixed.
Letting Documentation Rot
Documentation becomes outdated immediately if not maintained.
Underestimating Ongoing Costs
Maintenance isn't free. Budget for it.
The 30-60-90 Day Framework
Days 1-30: Stabilize
- Fix issues
- Support users
- Gather feedback
Days 31-60: Optimize
- Address feedback
- Refine processes
- Improve usability
Days 61-90: Mature
- Assess value
- Plan roadmap
- Establish rhythm
Need help after launch? We provide ongoing support