Understand launch preparation

A successful launch is more than a release date. It requires the orchestration of product, marketing, support, and strategy to create the right impact. Launch teams must ensure that the product is polished, stakeholders are aligned, documentation is in place, and early users can adopt the product smoothly.

Slack shows how diligence here pays off. Before going public, the team used Slack internally to refine the product and understand usage patterns. They watched for signals, such as when early users sent around 2,000 messages, which indicated real team adoption and value.^[1] This allowed them to address usability concerns, fix bugs, and strengthen onboarding well before opening to a broader audience.

In contrast, Google Glass failed to prepare for mainstream launch needs. Privacy concerns, unclear user benefits, and missing communication on its value undermined adoption. The high cost and social discomfort caused widespread rejection, and the product was pulled from the market within a year.^[2]

These contrasting experiences show why launch preparation must include internal testing, clear messaging, and stakeholder readiness, not only the product itself.