Business opening checklist: the decisions to resolve before launch
Startup Costs | Blank working worksheet | September 6, 2026
https://startup-costs.com/guides/opening-checklist/

Result to produce: A launch decision record with unresolved dependencies and a named next action.

Business and format:
Address or service area:
Prepared by:
Date:

BEFORE YOU START
Describe the proposed service or product, customer, location, opening hours, paid team and expected launch date. Use this same scope when asking suppliers, authorities and potential customers for information.

DECISION RECORD
1. Customer offer
Exact scope, customer unit, price test and demand evidence
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

2. Premises and equipment
Suitability, installation dependencies, quotes and terms
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

3. Paid delivery
Roster, capacity, handovers and operating rehearsal
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

4. Permissions
Relevant activity and address questions, offices and responses
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

5. Opening cash
Payment dates, usable funds, operating deficit and reserve
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

6. Launch decision
Remaining dependency, next action, responsible person and date
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

DECISION RULES
If: A commitment depends on an unresolved condition
Action: Resolve that condition or revise the commitment and launch sequence.

If: A task is marked complete without its stated evidence
Action: Reopen it and attach the missing result.

If: The rehearsal exposes an uncovered task
Action: Revise the roster or service promise and repeat the affected part.

YOUR DECISION
Next commitment:
Conditions still to resolve:
Decision and reason:
Next review date:

Sources and background:
SBA: launching a business: https://www.sba.gov/counseling/launch-your-business/

This is a blank personal planning worksheet. Its completion is not an approval, a market estimate or a completed state research record.
The examples and calculator defaults on the guide are authored illustrations. Keep your own evidence and limitations with any result.
Financial information supports planning and education and is not personalized financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Results do not guarantee costs, revenue, profit or financing.