Onboarding Guide
Create structured onboarding programs that accelerate new hire productivity through clear milestones, organized resources, and measurable outcomes.
When to Use This Skill
- Designing company onboarding
- Creating role-specific plans
- Building onboarding checklists
- Measuring onboarding effectiveness
- Improving time-to-productivity
Methodology Foundation
Based on Gallup Q12 engagement research and BambooHR onboarding studies, combining:
- 30-60-90 day frameworks
- Milestone-based progression
- Social integration focus
- Measurable competency gates
What Claude Does vs What You Decide
| Claude Does | You Decide | |-------------|------------| | Structures onboarding phases | Timeline flexibility | | Creates milestone checklists | Resource availability | | Suggests activities | Buddy assignments | | Identifies success metrics | Performance standards | | Drafts welcome materials | Cultural elements |
Instructions
Step 1: Define Onboarding Goals
Core Objectives: | Objective | Measure | Target | |-----------|---------|--------| | Productivity | Time to first contribution | 30 days | | Engagement | Pulse survey score | 4+/5 | | Retention | 90-day retention | 95%+ | | Culture | Manager satisfaction | 4+/5 | | Compliance | Training completion | 100% |
Step 2: Design Phase Structure
30-60-90 Framework:
| Phase | Days | Focus | Outcome | |-------|------|-------|---------| | Absorb | 1-30 | Learn, observe, connect | Understands role | | Adapt | 31-60 | Apply, contribute, ask | Making contributions | | Accelerate | 61-90 | Own, improve, lead | Fully productive |
Step 3: Create Milestone Checklists
Checklist Categories:
- Administrative setup
- Tools and systems
- People and relationships
- Role-specific training
- Cultural integration
Step 4: Build Resource Library
Resource Organization: | Category | Contents | |----------|----------| | Company | Vision, values, org chart | | Role | JD, expectations, success criteria | | Tools | System access, tutorials | | People | Team bios, stakeholder map | | Culture | Norms, rituals, communication |
Step 5: Measure Success
Checkpoint Assessments: | Day | Assessment | Owner | |-----|------------|-------| | 7 | First week check-in | Manager | | 14 | Buddy feedback | Buddy | | 30 | 30-day review | Manager | | 60 | Progress assessment | Manager | | 90 | Performance review | Manager + HR |
Examples
Example 1: Complete 30-60-90 Onboarding Plan
Input:
Create onboarding plan for:
- Role: Marketing Manager
- Team: 3 marketers, reports to VP Marketing
- Key tools: HubSpot, Google Analytics, Figma
- First project: Q2 campaign planningOutput:
## 30-60-90 Onboarding Plan: Marketing Manager
### Role Overview
| Element | Detail |
|---------|--------|
| Title | Marketing Manager |
| Reports To | VP Marketing |
| Team | 3 direct reports |
| Start Date | [Date] |
| Buddy | [Senior Marketing Manager] |
---
## Pre-Start Checklist (Before Day 1)
**IT/Admin:**
- [ ] Email account created
- [ ] Laptop ordered and configured
- [ ] Building access/badge
- [ ] HubSpot seat provisioned
- [ ] Google Analytics access
- [ ] Figma seat added
- [ ] Slack workspace invite
**Manager Prep:**
- [ ] First week calendar blocked
- [ ] Buddy assigned and briefed
- [ ] Welcome message drafted
- [ ] Desk/workspace ready
- [ ] Team notified of start date
---
## Phase 1: ABSORB (Days 1-30)
### Goal
Understand the company, team, and role fundamentals
### Week 1: Orientation
**Day 1 - Welcome**
| Time | Activity | Owner |
|------|----------|-------|
| 9:00 | Welcome from manager | VP Marketing |
| 9:30 | IT setup and security training | IT |
| 10:30 | Office tour | Buddy |
| 11:00 | HR paperwork and benefits | HR |
| 12:00 | Team lunch | Team |
| 1:30 | Company overview presentation | VP Marketing |
| 3:00 | Tool access verification | Self |
| 4:00 | First 1:1 with manager | VP Marketing |
**Day 2-3 - Company Deep Dive**
- [ ] Complete company history module
- [ ] Review brand guidelines
- [ ] Read last 2 quarterly reports
- [ ] Watch CEO all-hands recording
- [ ] Review competitor landscape doc
**Day 4-5 - Marketing Team Orientation**
- [ ] 1:1 with each team member (3 × 30 min)
- [ ] Review team OKRs and metrics
- [ ] Understand current campaigns
- [ ] Access marketing dashboards
- [ ] Review content calendar
### Week 2: Systems and Stakeholders
**Tools Training:**
- [ ] HubSpot certification (8 hours)
- [ ] Google Analytics walkthrough
- [ ] Figma basics tutorial
- [ ] Internal wiki navigation
**Stakeholder Meetings:**
| Person | Role | Purpose |
|--------|------|---------|
| Head of Sales | Revenue partner | Understand MQL handoff |
| Product Manager | Product launches | Align on roadmap |
| Customer Success | Customer voice | Understand retention |
| Finance | Budget partner | Understand process |
### Week 3-4: Role Immersion
**Activities:**
- [ ] Shadow team members on key tasks
- [ ] Review past 6 months of campaigns
- [ ] Analyze top-performing content
- [ ] Understand lead scoring model
- [ ] Map customer journey documentation
**Deliverable:** Present "30-Day Observations" to VP Marketing
- What I've learned
- Questions I have
- Initial opportunities I see
---
### Phase 1 Milestones
| Milestone | Due | Status |
|-----------|-----|--------|
| All system access working | Day 3 | [ ] |
| Completed company training | Day 5 | [ ] |
| Met all key stakeholders | Day 14 | [ ] |
| HubSpot certification | Day 21 | [ ] |
| 30-day presentation | Day 30 | [ ] |
### Phase 1 Success Criteria
| Criterion | Measure | Target |
|-----------|---------|--------|
| System proficiency | Can navigate independently | Yes/No |
| Team relationships | Buddy rating | 4+/5 |
| Company knowledge | Quiz score | 80%+ |
| Engagement | Pulse check | Positive |
---
## Phase 2: ADAPT (Days 31-60)
### Goal
Start contributing and take ownership of initial responsibilities
### Responsibilities Ramp
**Week 5-6: Supporting Role**
- [ ] Co-lead weekly marketing meeting
- [ ] Review and approve team content
- [ ] Begin 1:1s with direct reports
- [ ] Contribute to campaign ideation
**Week 7-8: Primary Ownership**
- [ ] Lead weekly marketing meeting
- [ ] Own content calendar decisions
- [ ] First budget planning input
- [ ] Draft Q2 campaign strategy
### Key Activities
**Campaign Planning:**
- [ ] Analyze Q1 campaign performance
- [ ] Interview Sales on lead quality
- [ ] Research competitor Q2 activities
- [ ] Draft Q2 campaign brief
**Team Management:**
- [ ] Establish 1:1 cadence with reports
- [ ] Complete first performance check-ins
- [ ] Identify team training needs
**Deliverable:** Q2 Campaign Proposal Presentation
---
### Phase 2 Milestones
| Milestone | Due | Status |
|-----------|-----|--------|
| First campaign contribution | Day 35 | [ ] |
| Leading weekly meeting | Day 42 | [ ] |
| Team 1:1 rhythm established | Day 45 | [ ] |
| Q2 campaign proposal | Day 60 | [ ] |
### Phase 2 Success Criteria
| Criterion | Measure | Target |
|-----------|---------|--------|
| Campaign contribution | VP approval | Yes |
| Team feedback | Skip-level pulse | 4+/5 |
| Independence | Manager assessment | 4+/5 |
---
## Phase 3: ACCELERATE (Days 61-90)
### Goal
Operate independently and drive impact
### Full Ownership
**Responsibilities:**
- [ ] Full ownership of Q2 campaign execution
- [ ] Team performance management
- [ ] Budget management ($X/quarter)
- [ ] Cross-functional project leadership
- [ ] Process improvement initiatives
### Key Activities
**Campaign Execution:**
- [ ] Launch Q2 campaign
- [ ] Establish reporting cadence
- [ ] First optimization cycle
**Strategic Contribution:**
- [ ] Participate in H2 planning
- [ ] Identify one process improvement
- [ ] Present results to leadership
**Deliverable:** 90-Day Impact Report
- Campaigns launched/contributed
- Metrics influenced
- Team development actions
- Rec