8 key steps to successfully launch a project

Project management

5 min

Posted on

4/2/2026

Let's go, you have just been appointed project manager on a brand new project. You are thrilled and excited to be taking on this new challenge.

Managing a project from A to Z is a real adventure that will bring you a great deal of experience both professionally and personally. However, to prevent this adventure from turning into a disaster, the launch of the project is a very important step that must be carefully prepared.

How to successfully launch a project?

A clear objective will you define
The list of tasks and the schedule you will establish
A budget you will set
The potential risks you will identify
A successful team you will choose
Team cohesion you will create
Effective tools you will adopt
The project launch meeting you will organize

It is essential to start on a healthy and solid foundation, and to create a positive dynamic that will follow you throughout the project. Follow these 8 key steps to successfully launch your project.

1. A clear objective will you define

A project meets a specific objective. In order for the whole team to work towards this end goal, you need to define it as clearly as possible. To do this, use the SMART method.

S for specific : Define your objective clearly and simply, and make sure it is understandable for everyone.
M for measurable : you must be able to measure the progress of your project usingkey performance indicators (or KPI).
A for acceptable and ambitious : the objective to be achieved must be motivating for the team. It should be a challenge but not impossible to achieve. In short, it should be reasonable but ambitious.
R for realistic : take into account your various constraints (budget, deadlines, resources, etc.) and set a realistic objective.
T for temporally defined : it is imperative to define a deadline by which the objective must be reached.

2. The list of tasks and the schedule you will establish

Now that you have a specific goal, you need to develop your action plan to reach it. This consists of dividing the project into milestones and tasks, that is, into different stages, each with a goal to reach that will gradually lead you to achieve your final objective. Do not hesitate to ask for help to make sure you don't forget any tasks.

Once you have listed all the tasks necessary to complete your project, you must define with your client the list of priorities, i.e. classify the tasks in order of importance and urgency (you can help yourself with the Eisenhower matrix).

Then, plan the progress of the various milestones and tasks of the project in order to complete it on schedule. Be flexible, allow room for maneuver and do not hesitate to review your schedule regularly because you will inevitably be confronted with unforeseen events or problems that may affect your planning.

3. A budget you will set

Unless you have an unlimited budget, which is quite rare, you need to determine the budget you need to complete your project. The aim is not to exceed the allocated budget.

To make an accurate estimate, rely on previous projects similar to yours, and ask experts in each field for the cost required to complete their task (s).

Finally, as with the planning, allow for an additional 10 to 15% safety margin to deal with possible unforeseen events and budget overruns.

4. The potential risks you will identify

Because zero risk does not exist in project management, you must identify the potential risks of your project as soon as it is launched.

To do this, bring your team together and:

list all possible risks (financial, human, temporal, organizational, etc.),
assess and prioritize risks according to their impact and the probability that they will occur,
Define an action plan if they occur (remove the risk, limit its effects, or modify the project).

5. A successful team you will choose

To succeed in your project, surround yourself with competent collaborators with experience in various fields. Also, make sure they are trained in the techniques of project management and that they enjoy working in a team. Choose people with compatible personalities as much as possible in order to avoid tensions and conflicts.

Finally, as a project manager, precisely define the roles, responsibilities, and functions of each member of your team. For a team to function effectively, each member needs to know what they need to do and what the others are doing.

6. Team cohesion you will create

Even in a team with the most talented employees, if no one gets along and appreciates each other, it will be difficult to do a good job. Hence the importance of creating team cohesion from the start of the project because a team that gets along well will be more efficient, collaborate more and stick together during hard times.

First, make sure everyone knows each other because it's still more fun to work together. Avoid boring presentations and be creative. Why not play a little game, for example, to learn to discover and appreciate each other.

Then, maintain and strengthen relationships within your team by regularly organizing team building activities, events, and fun opportunities to get together. A classic team lunch During the more original cooking class, there is no shortage of ideas to build relationships, create a good atmosphere and develop a sense of belonging within your project team.

7. Effective tools you will adopt

To make things easier for you and promote collaboration and communication within your team, opt for a project management solution. For example, software such as Wimi allows you to centralize all your project data in a single space that is accessible to all participants. You easily manage your tasks, quickly visualize the progress of project and discuss with your collaborators anytime. In short, it is an essential tool for organizing teamwork and effectively managing all your projects.