Initiating a Project, Project Manager

Initiating a Project establishes a firm plan, information, and disciplines for achieving the business benefits of the project.  This work is carried out during the Initiation Stage of the Project (the first Stage).  The Initiation Stage may include other specialist products (also called Business Products) that may provide valuable information to improve the accuracy or understanding of the management products.

The primary steps to carry out this activity are:

• Prepare the Risk Management Strategy (or use the Standard Risk Management Strategy)
• Prepare the Quality Management Strategy (or use the Standard Quality Management Strategy)
• Prepare the Configuration Management Strategy (or use the Standard Configuration Management Strategy)
• Prepare the Communication Management Strategy (using the Standard Communication Management Strategy)
• Setup the Project Controls
• Create the Project Plan
• Refine the Business Case
• Assemble the Project Initiation Documentation

The key output of the initiation stage is the Project Initiation Documentation.  This documentation consists of supporting information in either forms or document format for easy maintenance.  These key information sources are

• Risk Management Strategy and Risk Register
• Quality Management Strategy and Quality Register
• Configuration Management Strategy, Configuration Item Records, and Issue Register
• Communication Management Strategy
• Project Controls
• Project Plan
• Business Case
• Benefit Review Plan
• Baselined Project Initiation Documentation.

Initiating a project defines the Project Management Products that are developed and delivered during the Initiation Stage.  Managing the initiation stage uses other processes such as 'Controlling a Stage, Managing Product Delivery, and Managing a Stage Boundary'.

Though this process requires thorough planning, the primary purpose is to plan the project and the next stage within the context of the risks that have been identified for the project.  Carrying risk forward from this stage is acceptable.

Some of this process may also be used to prepare a proposal for a client.  The proposal may contain information that exists in separate documents.  Where possible, the proposal and associated contract will take precedence over any project documents and the information should not be duplicated.  In any case, the Supplier Project Initiation Document for the project will be produced and authorised by the Supplier Project Board. 

• Risk, Quality, Configuration Management, and Communication Strategies are ready for review
• Project Plan is ready for review
• Business Case and Benefits Review Plan are ready for review
• Project Controls are established and in use.
• Proposal is reviewed if Required
• Next Stage Planning Triggered
• Project Initiation Documentation Submitted to PB

• PMGT_TPL004 - Quality Management Strategy
• PMGT_TPL001 - Project Plan
• PMGT_TPL005 - Business Case
• PMGT_TPL008 - Lessons Report
• PMGT_TPL013 - Benefits Review Plan
• CMGT_TPL001 - Proposal Template
• PMGT_TPL016 - Project Initiation Documentation

• PMGT_FRM002 - Issue Management Forms
• PMGT_FRM007 - Risk Management Forms
• PMGT_FRM011 - Lessons Learned Forms
• PMGT_FRM012 - Meeting Report Form

• Project Initiation Documentation
• Product-Based Planning
• Propose a Solution
• Plan for Delivery

Guidelines

• PMGT_GID001 Project File Guidelines

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2®

• Initiating a Project Process
• Plans Theme
• Organisation Theme
• Business Case Theme
• Risk Theme
• Change Theme
• Quality Theme
• Progress Theme
• Appendix A Product Descriptions