What is the best cadence for gathering stakeholder feedback in preparation for a launch?

The best cadence for gathering stakeholder feedback in preparation for a launch is specific to the timeline of the launch. I recommend getting ahead of this and collecting feedback with ample time to map out additional touchpoints for feedback such as at set milestones. Ask yourself, how long do you need to document the feedback, define action items and incorporate the feedback accordingly?

For example, this is a general framework for collecting feedback at milestones:

• Pre-launch. Who do you need to collect feedback from ahead of testing and the launch?
• Testing. What type of QA process do you have in place and when do you need to collect this feedback ahead of the launch?
• Post-launch landing review. A good rule of thumb is to have a landing review after ~30 days. This of course will vary depending on the launch, but this is a general guideline you can use.

The key here is to tailor the cadence based on the needs of the launch (e.g., complexity, duration, impact, etc.). I also recommend keeping your stakeholders to a minimum to avoid groupthink. It’s a delicate balance of ensuring the right stakeholders are included, but also that the launch doesn’t meet friction with too many opinions.