Kickoffkokous

Kickoffkokous is a term used in Finnish and international project management to refer to the kickoff meeting conducted at the start of a project. The term blends the English word kickoff with the Finnish kokous, meaning meeting. The kickoff kokous marks the formal launch of the project and sets the initial planning in motion. Its purpose is to align stakeholders, confirm objectives, define the project scope, clarify roles and responsibilities, and establish the governance and communication framework. It also helps surface assumptions, identify risks, and set expectations for success.

Typically, attendees include the project sponsor, project manager, team leads, a product owner or customer representative, other key stakeholders, and any external partners or vendors. A typical agenda covers introductions, project rationale and objectives, scope and success criteria, roles and responsibilities, a high-level timeline and milestones, decision rights and governance, risk overview and assumptions, communication plan, change management process, and next steps.

Outcomes from a kickoff kokous usually include a formal project charter or brief, agreement on objectives and scope, assigned responsibilities, an initial schedule, and a plan for ongoing communication and risk management. In agile contexts, the kickoff may emphasize product vision, backlog alignment, and the definition of done, while in traditional projects it may be more formal and contract-driven.

The kickoff kokous is considered a foundational step in project delivery, contributing to shared understanding and smoother execution.