The Plan Initiation Stage is a crucial activity within the Starting Up a Project (SU) process in PRINCE2 7. This activity focuses on preparing a detailed plan for how the Initiation Stage will be conducted, ensuring that proper resources, time, and approach are allocated before the project formally…The Plan Initiation Stage is a crucial activity within the Starting Up a Project (SU) process in PRINCE2 7. This activity focuses on preparing a detailed plan for how the Initiation Stage will be conducted, ensuring that proper resources, time, and approach are allocated before the project formally begins.
During this activity, the Project Manager creates the Stage Plan for the Initiation Stage. This plan outlines what work needs to be accomplished during initiation, including developing the Project Initiation Documentation (PID), refining the Business Case, establishing project controls, and setting up the various management strategies.
The Plan Initiation Stage activity considers several key elements. First, it identifies the products that need to be created during initiation, such as the detailed Business Case, Project Plan, and various strategy documents. Second, it estimates the effort, resources, and time required to produce these products. Third, it identifies any risks associated with the initiation work itself.
The output of this activity is the Initiation Stage Plan, which becomes part of the Project Brief. This plan provides the Project Board with visibility into what will happen during initiation and enables them to make an informed decision about whether to authorize the Initiation Stage.
The Executive and Project Manager are the primary contributors to this activity. The Project Manager does the detailed planning work, while the Executive ensures the plan aligns with organizational expectations and constraints.
This activity is essential because it prevents projects from rushing into execution before proper foundations are established. By planning the initiation work carefully, organizations can ensure adequate time and resources are allocated to develop robust project documentation and controls.
The Initiation Stage Plan should be realistic and achievable, setting appropriate expectations for stakeholders about when the project will be ready to proceed to subsequent delivery stages.
Plan Initiation Stage - PRINCE2 Foundation V7 Complete Guide
What is Plan Initiation Stage?
Plan Initiation Stage is an activity within the Starting Up a Project (SU) process in PRINCE2. It involves creating the Stage Plan for the Initiation Stage, which is the first management stage of the project. This plan provides the Project Board with a detailed breakdown of the work, resources, time, and costs required to produce the Project Initiation Documentation (PID).
Why is Plan Initiation Stage Important?
The Plan Initiation Stage activity is crucial for several reasons:
• Enables informed decision-making: It gives the Project Board the information they need to decide whether to authorize the Initiation Stage • Sets realistic expectations: It establishes clear timelines and resource requirements for project initiation • Demonstrates project viability: Shows that sufficient thought has gone into how the project will be properly defined • Provides control: Creates a baseline against which progress during initiation can be measured • Ensures proper planning: Confirms that the effort required to create comprehensive project documentation is understood
How Does Plan Initiation Stage Work?
The activity involves the following key elements:
1. Input: • Project Brief (containing initial scope, objectives, and approach) • Project Approach • Project management team structure
2. Key Tasks: • Identify the products to be delivered during initiation (primarily the PID components) • Estimate the effort, resources, and time needed • Schedule the activities for the Initiation Stage • Identify any risks specific to initiation • Define how quality will be achieved
3. Output: • Stage Plan for the Initiation Stage
4. Responsibility: • The Project Manager is responsible for creating this plan • The plan forms part of the Project Brief package presented to the Project Board
Relationship to Other Activities
Plan Initiation Stage occurs after: • Appointing the Executive and Project Manager • Capturing previous lessons • Designing and appointing the project management team • Preparing the Project Brief
The Initiation Stage Plan is included when requesting authorization to initiate the project from the Project Board.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Plan Initiation Stage
Tip 1: Remember the Purpose The primary purpose is to create a plan that enables the Project Board to authorize the Initiation Stage. Questions may test whether you understand this is about planning the initiation work, not the entire project.
Tip 2: Know Who is Responsible The Project Manager creates the Initiation Stage Plan. The Project Board approves it. Do not confuse this with Team Manager responsibilities.
Tip 3: Understand the Timing This activity occurs during Starting Up a Project (pre-project), not during the Initiation Stage itself. The plan is created before initiation begins.
Tip 4: Recognize the Output The output is specifically the Stage Plan for the Initiation Stage. It is not a Project Plan or a Benefits Management Approach at this point.
Tip 5: Distinguish from Other Plans Exam questions may try to confuse you between the Initiation Stage Plan and subsequent stage plans. The Initiation Stage Plan is unique because it is created during Starting Up a Project.
Tip 6: Link to Authorization Remember that this plan supports the 'Authorize Initiation Stage' decision point. The Project Board uses it to understand what resources and time are needed for initiation.
Tip 7: Focus on Products The plan should identify the management products to be created during initiation, such as the Project Plan, Business Case, and various strategy documents that form the PID.
Common Exam Question Themes: • Which process contains the Plan Initiation Stage activity? (Answer: Starting Up a Project) • Who is responsible for creating the Initiation Stage Plan? (Answer: Project Manager) • What is the main output of this activity? (Answer: Stage Plan for Initiation Stage) • When does this activity occur? (Answer: During Starting Up a Project, before initiation)