* Read all the things. For me as a technical writer that means reading most if not all the docs on our documentation website. Also means org strategy docs. Also means doing a lot of tinkering (try out the code samples etc).
* Record first impressions / friction log as I go. Beginner's mind has real value!
* Meet & greet everyone on my immediate team (~20 people) for 30 mins. More focused on work stuff.
* Also meet & greet people in the wider org (~10 people) for 15 mins. This meeting is less focused on work stuff. I'm approaching it with the mindset that it's plain nice to meet new people. But I'm sure the "rapport building" will also make work easier eventually.
* Talk w/ manager and skip manager about medium/long-term projects and eventually get written confirmation via email. My manager has a very helpful framework where you think of 3 levels of projects. First level is immediate value (what the post calls "easy wins"). Second level is medium-term with substantial complexity (these will take lots of meetings and research to find the right problem/solution to work on). Third level are stretch projects that will eventually get you promoted (if that's what you want).
* All the mandatory corp onboarding stuff. Benefits, mandatory training, etc. Just block out focus time and get it done.
* We don't have an onboarding guide for our immediate team so I'm creating one as I go. Will be a nice way to connect with any new teammates after me.