New PM Onboarding Checklist

Use this checklist to help ensure that new PMs joining your team are set up with the best possible chance
of success. Some of these items will be completed prior to the new PM joining, some will continue for
several months beyond the start date. The checklist is broken down into different areas for the different
roles involved:

The formal authority: PMO, PMs manager or similar

The mentor: A more experienced PM assigned to support the new PM and help them acclimate
to the new environment
The PM: The person who is being brought on board

Its important to have all three roles involved (and for a mentor to be appointed); success comes from
having a well-rounded approach to onboarding the PM. Any processes around new employee setup
(computer, desk, etc.) are usually handled as part of existing HR processes, so they are not included.

Formal Authority (PMO, Line Manager, etc. as appropriate)

Item Date Completed Notes

Project(s) assigned
Mentor appointed
First day schedule developed and resources
confirmed
First day introduction completed
Project briefing conducted (purpose, status, work,
staff, etc.)
Weekly checkpoint meetings scheduled
Sponsor overview meeting scheduled
Sponsor overview meeting completed
PMO meeting scheduled
PMO meeting completed
Team meeting scheduled
Team meeting completed
Process/methodology training scheduled
Process/methodology training completed
First-week review scheduled
First-week review completed
Second-week review scheduled
Second-week review completed
First-month review scheduled
First-month review completed
Three-month review scheduled
Three-month review completed
Formal development plan developed
Formal career plan developed
 Mentor: <name of mentor>

Item Date Completed Notes

Background/rsum reviewed
Appointed projects reviewed
Introductory meeting scheduled
Introductory meeting completed
Weekly checkpoint meetings scheduled
Development/concern areas identified
Skills/knowledge development plans developed
Skills/knowledge development checkpoints
established
Development accountability model developed

PM: <name of PM>

Item Date Completed Notes

All team members met
All stakeholders met
Communication plan for all team members/
stakeholders developed
Project assessment completed (challenges,
knowledge gaps, etc.)
Methodology reviewed and questions/
uncertainties identified
Personal development plan developed for all
gaps (not formal organizational development)
Regular meetings with mentor occurring
Regular meetings with PMO occurring
Regular meetings with functional manager
occurring
Informal conversations with colleagues/other PMs
occurring
Formal development plan agreed to
Career plan developed