In the PRINCE2 7 Directing a Project (DP) process, the 'Authorize Project' activity is the critical decision point where the Project Board formally approves the project to transition from the initiation stage into the delivery stages. This activity occurs after the 'Initiating a Project' process ha…In the PRINCE2 7 Directing a Project (DP) process, the 'Authorize Project' activity is the critical decision point where the Project Board formally approves the project to transition from the initiation stage into the delivery stages. This activity occurs after the 'Initiating a Project' process has been completed, meaning the detailed planning and defining of the project are finished, but before significant resources are committed to creating products.
The primary objective of this activity is to answer the fundamental question: 'Is this project desirable, viable, and achievable?' To determine this, the Project Board reviews the Project Initiation Documentation (PID), which consolidates the Business Case, Project Plan, Project Management Team structure, and various management approaches (Risk, Quality, Change, and Communication). The PID essentially acts as the contract between the Project Manager and the Project Board.
During this review, the Project Board checks that the project aligns with corporate or programme strategies and that the controls defined are adequate for the project's complexity. They verify that the Business Case justifies the investment and that the Benefits Management Approach clearly outlines how value will be realized. They also ensure that the risks are acceptable.
The outcome of 'Authorize Project' is a formal direction: the Project Board either provides authority to proceed, requests revisions, or cancels the project if the justification is insufficient. If authorized, the PID becomes the 'baselined' standard against which the project's performance will be measured. This activity ensures that the organization does not proceed with projects based on optimism alone, but rather on a solid, approved foundation.
Guide to Authorize Project: Directing a Project Process (PRINCE2 v7)
What is 'Authorize Project'? In PRINCE2 v7, 'Authorize Project' is a critical activity within the Directing a Project process. It represents the formal 'Go/No-Go' decision point where the Project Board reviews the detailed planning completed during the Initiating a Project stage. It is the trigger that transitions the project from planning into actual delivery.
Why is it Important? This activity provides the necessary governance to prevent poor investments. It ensures that: 1. The project remains aligned with corporate objectives. 2. The Business Case is viable and desirable. 3. The plans are realistic and achievable. 4. The risks are acceptable before significant resources and money are committed.
How it Works The Project Manager submits the Project Initiation Documentation (PID) to the Project Board. The Board then undertakes the following steps: 1. Review the PID: They examine the management approaches (Risk, Quality, Change, etc.) and the Project Plan. 2. Confirm Commitments: They verify that the required resources and funding are available for the project and specifically for the first delivery stage. 3. Assess the Business Case: They ensure the project is still justified based on the detailed costs and timescales derived during initiation. 4. Decision: They formally approve the PID and issue authorization for the Project Manager to proceed with the first stage of the project delivery.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Authorize Project When tackling Practitioner exam questions regarding this activity: 1. Context is Key: Look for scenarios where the 'Initiation Stage' is ending. If the project team has just finished writing the PID, the next logical step is 'Authorize Project'. 2. Inputs and Outputs: Remember that the primary input is the Project Initiation Documentation (PID) and the primary output is the Authorization to deliver the project. 3. The Authority: Questions often confuse the Project Manager's role with the Board's. The PM prepares the plans; the Project Board authorizes them. If a question asks who signs off on the benefits management approach or the project plan, it is the Project Board during this activity. 4. Tailoring: Be aware of tailoring. In smaller projects, this activity might be less formal, but the decision to proceed must still be made by the appropriate authority.