Project Initiation

When it comes to starting a new project, it is vital that you start things off in the correct manner. In order to achieve this desired start, it would be wise to begin with the project initiation phase.

What is the Project Initiation Phase?

This phase of project management includes all the various steps that should be taken before a project is given the green light and before any planning is underway. The objective here is to define your project at a high level and to link it back into the business case that is to be solved.

Why it is important.

1. Many of the major decisions that will influence the course and resource requirements for the project are established during the project phase.

2. During this phase there will be multiple checks that will prevent miscommunication and to ensure that the project stays on track throughout its course.

3. Starting off with a clear objective will enable you to achieve maximizing benefits while also minimizing costs, simultaneously delivering value to the customer

Project Initiation process - following the 6 key steps

After establishing what the project initiation phase and its importance, next it is important to understand the key steps that are present within the initiation process.

Below is an image from ProjectManager.com which illustrates well the 6 key steps:

1. Creating a Business case

This is a document that will explain and detail how the project's goals align with the company's long-term plans. It will give a case as to why the company should spend its technical, financial and human resources on the project at hand.

2. Conducting a feasibility study

This step involves determining what the likelihood of succession of the project will be, after all factors have been considered. The feasibility study will basically determine whether the project is worth it or not.

3. Establishing a project charter

The charter aims to identify the necessary details, including the goals and the constraints of the project. It will also identify the project scope and lists the required resources for the completion of the project

4. Identifying stakeholders and making a stakeholder register

Stakeholders are anyone who can be influenced or has an influence on the project. They can be internal or external, with each having their own requirements when it comes to communication. The project manager has a responsibility to ensure the means of frequency of communication with project stakeholders in accordance to their influence and interest in the project.

5. Team Assembly

Bringing a working project team together and assigning them roles and responsibilities is an important component of the initiation phase.

6. Final review

After going through the first 5 steps, to finish off it is as good idea to review the entire project initiation stage, helping to ensure that you missed nothing.