Say it like this
- Let's kick off the meeting by reviewing the timeline
- The project kickoff is scheduled for next week
- We need a solid kickoff to get everyone aligned
Use it at work
Scheduling
- Let's schedule the project kickoff for Monday.
- I'll send the kickoff deck before the meeting.
In the meeting
- At the kickoff, we'll agree on goals, scope and roles.
- Any questions before we wrap up the kickoff?
Afterward
- Here are the notes from the kickoff.
- After the kickoff, everyone knew their role.
Don't say this
Kickoff is primarily a noun. While it can be verbed casually, using 'hold the kickoff' or 'have a kickoff' is clearer and more professional.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager wants to start a new feature project. Which sentence sounds most natural?
2. Everyone should review the requirements before the _______ so we can discuss the timeline effectively.
3. Which sentence uses 'kickoff' incorrectly?
4. Rewrite using kickoff: 'We need to have an initial meeting where we explain the project goals and deadlines to everyone.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Let's kick off the meeting by reviewing the timeline"
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More about kickoff
Real examples(3)
- in a team meeting
"The project kickoff is tomorrow at 9 AM, so please review the requirements document before then."
- in an email
"Thanks for confirming attendance at the v2.0 feature kickoff. We will cover the technical architecture and timeline."
- in a standup
"The backend team had their sprint kickoff yesterday and committed to finishing the API endpoints by Friday."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not use as a verb in formal settings; use 'launch' or 'initiate' instead. Kickoff is primarily a noun meaning the initial meeting or start of a project.
- ✕After the kickoff, we kicked off the project.✓The kickoff launched the project.
Using 'kickoff' twice is redundant. Use 'start' or 'launch' for the action that follows the meeting.
- ✕The kickoff will be very casual with no agenda.✓The kickoff will cover all the major milestones and deliverables.
Kickoffs are formal, structured meetings with clear objectives, not casual gatherings.
Other forms(3)
- kickoff noun
"The project kickoff is scheduled for Monday morning."
- kickoff meeting noun
"Attend the kickoff meeting to understand the project scope."
- kickoff adjective
"This is the kickoff event for our new product line."
Often used with(6)
- project kickoff · The formal meeting that starts a project; most common usage
- sprint kickoff · Meeting at the beginning of a two-week or monthly sprint cycle
- product kickoff · Launch event for a new product or major feature release
- kickoff meeting · The formal gathering held to start an initiative
- attend the kickoff · To participate in the kickoff meeting
- schedule a kickoff · To arrange the kickoff meeting
Similar words(4)
- launch meeting · Very similar but less commonly used in tech; launch emphasizes the public release aspect
- opening meeting · More formal alternative; less common in tech industry
- initiation meeting · More formal; used in enterprise or large organizations
- start-up meeting · Older term; kickoff is now preferred in modern tech usage
Opposites(3)
- wrap-up
- closure
- conclusion
Questions(5)
- What is a kickoff in tech and software engineering?
- A kickoff is the formal opening meeting of a project, sprint, or initiative where team members align on goals, timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables. It ensures everyone understands what needs to be accomplished and by when.
- How long does a typical kickoff meeting last?
- A sprint kickoff usually lasts 30 minutes to 1 hour. A larger project or product kickoff can last 1 to 2 hours depending on complexity. The duration depends on the scope and number of stakeholders involved.
- Is kickoff formal or informal?
- Kickoff is neutral in formality. While it is a structured, official meeting with a clear agenda, the tone can be professional but approachable. It is more formal than a casual chat but less rigid than formal presentations.
- What should be covered in a project kickoff?
- A good kickoff covers project goals and success criteria, key deliverables and milestones, timeline and deadlines, team roles and responsibilities, dependencies and risks, and questions or concerns from the team.
- Can you use kickoff as a verb?
- In casual speech, some people say 'kick off the project,' but it is not standard in formal or written tech English. It is safer to use 'start,' 'launch,' or 'hold a kickoff' instead.
