Can't say I follow a particular protocol, but it's always headset first, then BB, then the rest.

I have a roll of painter's tape near the bench and usually stick a piece on the stem until final adjustment just to remind myself it's really not tight yet.

bike assembly checklist

This is a google doc, available for anyone to edit or abuse.

I generally do the seatpost collar and seatpost first so that I can mount it in the stand.

Then (with appropriate intermediate steps)

Headset
Fork
Stem/Handlebars
BB
Crankset
Brakes
Wheels
(Fenders?)
Shifters
Derailleurs
Cables/housing
Saddle
Done

I like this list because it will identify the fatal flaws pretty quickly before you spend money on other things. If it's a goner, it's good to know before you spend money on tires and a new seat.

I would add a quick check of frame alignment very near the top, near the fork on this list.

I like the idea of checking on the seatpost at the top of the list. If that's frozen, I usually would just walk away. Some others would be able to deal with it to a certainty, but I can't in my particular environment.

I had written the list as for "new" bikes being built from a frame.

For old bikes, I'd do things quite differently if I was checking one out to possibly fix.

However, you are right, seatpost is still at the top of the list.

Few things I despise more than checklists for something I have ample experience with. I do get the necessity, and I actually do have to use some for work, but the instructions at the top may as well say, "because we don't trust you and think you may have become an idiot overnight".

Yes, I would appreciate a checklist for servicing an IGH. Most other bicycle maintenance activities... nah.

Not much to a bike, but from what I've seen here it could get complicated, especially for someone who builds nuclear plants. Gotta love the Web.