Global Health: Science and Practice, a start‐up peer‐reviewed journal, used a fourstage process to evaluate and implement a manuscript management system: define internal requirements, explore platform options, select platform of choice, and configure and test the platform Configuration and testing of the selected platform took longer than anticipated, mainly because we had to spend considerable time developing our submission and peer review workflows. The six key features of manuscript management of most value are: automating manuscript tracking; selecting peer reviewers; assigning alterative reviewers; sending automated letters and reminders; facilitating blinded peer review, and monitoring and evaluating journal processes