The Initiating a Project process in PRINCE2 7 serves as a crucial foundation-setting phase that occurs after the project has been approved to proceed from the Starting Up a Project process. This process has several key objectives that ensure the project begins on solid ground.
The primary objectiv…The Initiating a Project process in PRINCE2 7 serves as a crucial foundation-setting phase that occurs after the project has been approved to proceed from the Starting Up a Project process. This process has several key objectives that ensure the project begins on solid ground.
The primary objective is to establish a firm foundation for the project by creating the Project Initiation Documentation (PID). This comprehensive document captures all essential information needed to manage the project effectively, including the business case, project approach, and management strategies.
Another critical objective is to define and agree upon the project's scope, objectives, and deliverables. This ensures all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project will achieve and what falls outside its boundaries.
The process aims to establish robust management strategies and controls. This includes creating strategies for risk management, quality management, communication management, and configuration management. These strategies provide the framework for how the project will be governed throughout its lifecycle.
Developing an accurate and realistic project plan is also a key objective. This plan outlines how the project will be executed, including timelines, resources, costs, and milestones. It serves as the baseline against which progress will be measured.
The initiation process seeks to confirm that the business case remains viable and that the project represents a worthwhile investment. This involves refining the outline business case developed during startup into a detailed justification for the project.
Finally, the process objectives include obtaining formal authorization from the Project Board to proceed with delivery. This ensures appropriate governance oversight and confirms that decision-makers are committed to supporting the project with necessary resources and authority.
These objectives collectively ensure the project has clear direction, appropriate controls, and stakeholder commitment before significant resources are invested in delivery activities.
Initiating a Project Objectives - Complete Study Guide
Why is Initiating a Project Objectives Important?
Understanding the objectives of the Initiating a Project process is fundamental to PRINCE2 Foundation success. This process establishes whether the project is viable and worthwhile before significant resources are committed. It provides the foundation for all subsequent project activities and ensures that the project has a solid basis for management decisions throughout its lifecycle.
What are the Initiating a Project Objectives?
The Initiating a Project process has several key objectives:
• Establish solid foundations - Create a firm foundation for the project so that the organization understands the work needed before committing to significant expenditure
• Develop the Project Initiation Documentation (PID) - Compile the information needed to define the project and obtain authorization to proceed
• Agree the baseline - Establish the project baseline against which performance can be measured
• Define how quality will be achieved - Establish the quality approach and quality expectations
• Establish robust project controls - Set up mechanisms to monitor and control the project
• Create the project plan - Develop a comprehensive plan showing how and when objectives will be achieved
• Establish the business case - Refine and complete the business justification for the project
How Does This Process Work?
The Initiating a Project process occurs after the Starting up a Project process and before the first delivery stage. During this process:
1. The Project Manager develops detailed management strategies (risk, quality, communication, and configuration)
2. Project controls are established for how the project will be monitored
3. The detailed business case is created or refined
4. The project plan is developed to cover the entire project
5. All information is assembled into the Project Initiation Documentation
6. The Project Board reviews and decides whether to authorize the project
Key Points to Remember
• This process happens once at the start of the project
• The output is the Project Initiation Documentation (PID)
• Authorization to proceed comes from the Project Board
• The process ensures the project is worthwhile before major investment
• It establishes the baseline for measuring project success
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Initiating a Project Objectives
1. Focus on the purpose - Remember that this process is about establishing whether the project is worthwhile and creating a solid foundation
2. Know the timing - This process occurs after Starting up a Project and before the first delivery stage begins
3. Understand the outputs - The PID is the primary output; know what it contains
4. Distinguish from Starting up a Project - Starting up is lighter and quicker; Initiating is more detailed and comprehensive
5. Remember the baseline concept - The project baseline is established here for future performance measurement
6. Link objectives to products - Each objective relates to specific management products created during this process
7. Consider authorization - The Project Board must authorize the project to proceed after reviewing the PID
8. Watch for distractor answers - Questions may include options that sound correct but relate to other processes like Controlling a Stage or Managing a Stage Boundary
9. Read questions carefully - Look for keywords like 'foundation,' 'baseline,' 'PID,' and 'authorization' to identify Initiating a Project questions