PLG OS

Implementation worksheet · 2 min read

An onboarding checklist completion event contract

Define checklist completion from the underlying product action, not merely a click on the checklist item. Record the user or account, task identity, completion event and checklist version. The interface should reflect the stored state and recover correctly after refresh, sign-out or a change of device.

For a team product, a checklist might include creating a workspace, inviting a colleague and completing a shared task. Each item needs its own completion rule. This worksheet specifies observable behavior; it does not claim a particular SDK implements every rule automatically.

Put it into practice

1. Name the value-linked tasks

Choose tasks that help the user reach a useful outcome. Distinguish opening an invitation form from successfully inviting a colleague. Avoid inflating completion by counting navigation as product value.

2. Define the ownership unit

Decide whether progress belongs to the person or workspace. A teammate completing an account-level setup task may need to update everyone's checklist. Document the difference before designing the event payload.

3. Specify the completion contract

Include task ID, checklist version, stable actor or account identity, event time and the business object proving completion. Define whether a task can become incomplete again after a related record is deleted.

4. Test persistence and repetition

Complete the task, refresh, switch sessions and repeat the event. The stored state should stay consistent and analytics should not double-count the same completion. Test a temporarily disconnected client as well.

5. Review the actual outcome

Measure checklist interaction separately from activation. If users finish the checklist without reaching the intended value event, revise the tasks or the product flow rather than declaring the checklist a success.

Checklist task contract

Copy this structure into your review document and record your observed result for each row.

Checklist task contract
TaskCompletion ruleNot sufficient
Create workspaceWorkspace record storedOpen setup form
Invite colleagueValid invitation createdClick invite button
First shared taskShared task completedView empty task page
Progress restoredStored state shown after returnIn-memory state only
Duplicate eventOne completion countedSecond analytics increment

A failure worth checking

A checklist can reset after an SDK re-mount if progress only lives in local component state. Persist the business state at the appropriate identity boundary and treat the component as a view of that state.

Common questions

Should users be able to skip a task?

Often yes. Store skipped and completed as different states so reporting does not treat dismissal as value achieved.

Can a checklist improve activation?

It may help, but measure the separately defined activation event with an appropriate comparison before claiming an effect.

Basis and scope

This is a proposed implementation method using illustrative examples, not a measured benchmark or a customer case study. Prepared with AI assistance. Validate product-specific behavior against current documentation and your own test environment.

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