What is an onboarding checklist?
An onboarding checklist is a list of tasks that helps a new user get started with a product. It shows what to do next and which tasks are complete, so the user can work through setup and return to unfinished items.
What goes on an onboarding checklist
Start with the outcome the user needs, then list its prerequisites. For a reporting tool, the list might include connecting a data source, creating a report, and sharing it with a teammate.
Use an action for each item and link to where it can be completed. Put prerequisites first, and show tasks that fit the person's role and access. Mark completion from the actual outcome where possible, such as a successful connection.
How a checklist helps
A checklist records progress across tasks and sessions. Someone can see what remains without repeating completed setup. Each item can also link to instructions or a walkthrough.
Product Onboarding has a guide to building effective product checklists and a checklist component reference.
What to review
Check whether every required item contributes to setup. “Explore the dashboard” gives less direction than “Create your first report.” If training is required, explain what the person needs to learn and how to complete it.
Test the list for different roles. A viewer should not be asked to configure an integration they cannot access. Review links and completion rules when the workflow changes, and provide help for people who get stuck within an item.
How a checklist is measured
Track completion of the full list and individual items, plus the time between them. A low completion rate identifies a step to investigate; it does not explain whether the cause is difficulty, missing access, or lack of need.
Compare checklist progress with the outcome it is meant to support, such as publishing a report. Clicking an item alone does not show that the task was completed.
How Frigade fits
Frigade Engage includes a Checklist component for defining tasks and tracking progress in your product. Frigade Assistant can help users work through a task, while Suggestions can offer a relevant next step to users who match a user-property rule.
Common questions
- How many items should an onboarding checklist have?
- Include the tasks needed to reach the first useful outcome. The right number depends on the product and the user’s role. For a team tool, that might mean connecting a data source, creating a project, and inviting a teammate. Put optional exploration or training outside the required setup list.
- Is an onboarding checklist better than a product tour?
- It depends on the task. A checklist is useful for setup that people complete across several sessions. A tour can introduce unfamiliar controls. They can work together: a checklist item can open a walkthrough that helps the user finish that task.