Task order matters. Do things wrong order. Waste time. Create problems.
Most founders jump around. They do tasks randomly. They backtrack. They duplicate effort.
Proper task order prevents problems. It saves time. It prevents backtracking. It avoids duplication.
This guide shows you what comes first when ordering tasks from idea to official registration.
Key Takeaways
- Follow sequence—complete tasks in order
- Avoid backtracking—do things once
- Prevent duplication—don't repeat work
- Save time—work efficiently
- Complete registration—finish formation
Table of Contents
Why Order Matters
Task order affects efficiency. Wrong order wastes time. Right order saves time.
Wrong order creates problems: You backtrack. You duplicate work. You waste effort.
Right order creates efficiency: You move forward. You avoid duplication. You save time.
Why this matters: Order understanding enables efficiency. If you understand order, efficiency improves.
Phase 1: Validation
Validate before you form. Test idea. Confirm market.
Validate Business Idea
Test your idea:
- Market research
- Customer interviews
- Demand validation
- Feasibility check
Why this matters: Validation prevents waste. If you validate idea, waste decreases.
Confirm Market
Confirm market exists:
- Market size
- Customer demand
- Competition analysis
- Opportunity assessment
Why this matters: Market confirmation enables confidence. If you confirm market, confidence improves.
Assess Feasibility
Assess if it’s feasible:
- Resource requirements
- Skill requirements
- Time requirements
- Financial requirements
Why this matters: Feasibility assessment prevents problems. If you assess feasibility, problems decrease.
Pro tip: Use our TAM Calculator to evaluate market opportunity and inform business planning. Calculate market size to understand opportunity.
Phase 2: Planning
Plan before you form. Choose structure. Prepare documents.
Choose Business Structure
Select structure:
- LLC
- Corporation
- Partnership
- Sole proprietorship
Why this matters: Structure choice affects formation. If you choose structure, formation becomes clear.
Plan Business Details
Plan business details:
- Business name
- Business address
- Ownership structure
- Business purpose
Why this matters: Planning enables formation. If you plan details, formation becomes possible.
Prepare Formation Documents
Prepare documents:
- Articles of organization
- Operating agreement
- Required forms
- Supporting documents
Why this matters: Document preparation enables filing. If you prepare documents, filing becomes possible.
Phase 3: Formation
Form business. File documents. Complete registration.
File Formation Documents
File with state:
- Complete forms
- Pay fees
- Submit documents
- Receive confirmation
Why this matters: Filing creates business. If you file correctly, business is created.
Obtain EIN
Get Employer Identification Number:
- Apply with IRS
- Receive EIN
- Use for business
- Update records
Why this matters: EIN enables operations. If you obtain EIN, operations become possible.
Complete Registration
Finish registration:
- Receive confirmation
- Update records
- Notify parties
- Begin operations
Why this matters: Registration completion enables operations. If you complete registration, operations become possible.
Phase 4: Setup
Set up operations. Open accounts. Begin business.
Open Business Bank Account
Open account:
- Choose bank
- Provide documents
- Open account
- Fund account
Why this matters: Bank account enables operations. If you open account, operations become possible.
Set Up Business Systems
Set up systems:
- Accounting system
- Record keeping
- Compliance tracking
- Operations systems
Why this matters: System setup enables operations. If you set up systems, operations become possible.
Begin Business Operations
Start operations:
- Launch business
- Serve customers
- Generate revenue
- Grow business
Why this matters: Operations create value. If you begin operations, value is created.
Pro tip: Use our TAM Calculator to evaluate market opportunity and inform business planning. Calculate market size to understand opportunity.
Your Next Steps
Proper task order prevents backtracking and saves time. Follow sequence, avoid backtracking, prevent duplication, save time, then complete registration to finish formation.
This Week:
- Begin validating business idea using our TAM Calculator
- Start planning business details
- Begin preparing formation documents
- Start filing formation documents
This Month:
- Complete validation phase
- Finish planning phase
- Complete formation phase
- Begin setup phase
Going Forward:
- Continuously follow proper order
- Avoid backtracking
- Prevent duplication
- Work efficiently
Need help? Check out our TAM Calculator for market evaluation, our formation roadmap guide for steps, our myth-busting guide for clarity, and our document library for forms.
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About What Comes First? Ordering Your Tasks from Idea to Official Registration
Why does the order of startup tasks matter when going from idea to registration?
Wrong task order causes backtracking, duplicated work, and wasted time, while the right order lets you move forward efficiently without redoing steps.
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Most founders jump around doing tasks in random order, which creates cascading problems. For example, filing formation documents before choosing a business structure means you might file the wrong paperwork entirely.
The correct sequence ensures each task builds on the previous one: validation first to confirm the idea is worth pursuing, then planning to make informed decisions, then formation to make it official, then setup to begin operations. Each phase requires outputs from the previous phase.
What should you validate before spending time on business formation?
Validate the business idea through market research and customer interviews, confirm the market exists and is large enough, and assess whether the venture is feasible given your resources.
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Business idea validation involves testing whether people actually want what you're planning to offer through market research, customer interviews, and demand validation. Don't assume demand exists; confirm it.
Market confirmation assesses market size, customer demand, competition landscape, and overall opportunity. Feasibility assessment checks whether you have or can obtain the resources, skills, time, and capital needed. These validation steps prevent you from spending weeks on formation paperwork for an idea that won't work.
What planning decisions should be finalized before filing any formation documents?
Choose your business structure (LLC, corporation, partnership), plan business details like name and address, and prepare all required formation documents before filing.
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Structure selection (LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship) affects everything that follows: tax treatment, liability protection, formation paperwork, and operating rules. This must be decided first.
Then plan specific business details: your business name (confirm availability in your state), business address, ownership structure, and business purpose. Finally, prepare all formation documents including articles of organization or incorporation, operating agreement or bylaws, and any state-required forms. Filing before these decisions are finalized leads to amendments, refiling, and wasted fees.
What is the correct sequence for the formation phase: filing, EIN, and registration completion?
First file formation documents with the state and pay fees, then obtain your EIN from the IRS, then complete registration by updating records and notifying relevant parties.
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Step 1 is filing your formation documents (articles of organization or incorporation) with the state secretary of state and paying the required fees. Wait for confirmation that the filing was accepted.
Step 2 is obtaining your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, which you need for banking, taxes, and hiring. Step 3 is completing registration by receiving official confirmation, updating all records, and notifying relevant parties. This sequence matters because you need formation confirmation before applying for an EIN, and you need the EIN before opening bank accounts.
What setup tasks should happen only after business registration is complete?
Open a business bank account, set up accounting and record-keeping systems, establish compliance tracking, and then begin business operations.
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Opening a business bank account requires your formation documents and EIN, which is why it can't happen before registration. Choose a bank, provide your formation confirmation and EIN, open the account, and fund it.
Set up business systems including accounting software, record-keeping procedures, compliance tracking for ongoing filing requirements, and operational systems. Only after these foundations are in place should you launch operations, serve customers, and begin generating revenue. Skipping setup leads to disorganized records and compliance gaps.
What are the four phases of going from idea to official registration, and how long does each take?
The four phases are Validation (test idea), Planning (choose structure and prepare documents), Formation (file and get EIN), and Setup (open accounts and launch). Timeline varies but following this order prevents delays.
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Phase 1: Validation involves market research, customer interviews, and feasibility assessment. This can take a few days to a few weeks depending on complexity. Phase 2: Planning includes choosing business structure, naming, and document preparation, typically 1-2 weeks.
Phase 3: Formation is filing documents with the state (processing times vary from same-day to several weeks depending on the state), obtaining an EIN (usually immediate online), and completing registration. Phase 4: Setup involves opening bank accounts, setting up systems, and launching operations, typically 1-2 weeks. Following this sequence avoids the backtracking that causes most delays.
Sources & Additional Information
This guide provides general information about task ordering. Your specific situation may require different considerations.
For market size analysis, see our TAM Calculator.
Consult with professionals for advice specific to your situation.
