Project Initiation

The Project Initiation phase is the first phase of the project management lifecycle. The purpose of this phase is to define the project and obtain authorization to begin the project.

Key Objectives:

1. Define the project scope, goals, and deliverables.

2. Identify the stakeholders and their interests.

3. Develop a preliminary project schedule and budget.

4. Determine the project feasibility and viability.

5. Obtain approval to proceed with the project.

Key Activities:

1. Conduct a feasibility study to determine if the project is worth pursuing.

2. Develop a project charter, which outlines the project's objectives, scope, and stakeholders.

3. Identify and document the project's high-level requirements and constraints.

4. Develop a preliminary project schedule, including major milestones and deadlines.

5. Establish a preliminary budget and resource allocation plan.

6. Identify and assess potential risks and opportunities.

7. Run a pre-project kickoff meeting with Stakeholders and identify project critical success factors

8. Obtain approval from stakeholders to proceed with the project.

Deliverables:

1. Project Charter

2. Preliminary Project Schedule

3. Preliminary Budget and Resource Allocation Plan

4. Stakeholder Register

5. Project Scope Statement

6. Critical Success Factors

Outcome:

The Project Initiation phase culminates in the approval of the project charter, which authorizes the project to proceed to the next phase, Project Planning. The project manager and team can then begin to develop a more detailed project plan, including a detailed schedule, budget, and resource allocation plan.