Last updated on 15 Jan 2020

One of the vital steps in delivering a high-end project effectively is the ‘initiation’. The project initiation and approval is the initial phase where a project is acknowledged through a Business case, prioritized according to the requirements and aligned with the business goals. It is then followed by governance and planning which set the project flow in motion.

The project initiation step involves defining scope, goals and product details. To get started with the project, one needs to set up a strong project team and gain approval from the authorities. This phase includes six major steps which are as follows,

Developing a business case Undertaking a feasibility study Creating a project charter Hiring a project team Setting up the workplace Performing a phase review

In step 3, a project charter is used to get the approval of a sponsor. It is a document that signifies the authorization and support from sponsors which is essential for the initiation of a project. Alongside this, approval and authorization from the customer/client and project management office are required in order to initiate the project and lead it to further steps.

The role of the project management office is to govern the project at each level and approve the team for the usage of the resources required. Apart from this, it does the strategic planning for the project keeping the goals of the organization in mind. It also brings together the best practices and ensures they are applied while handling the current project. In fact, the PMO even takes the responsibility to make sure the project is progressing at a steady rate without any halt and delivers at the promised due date. Another major function of the project management office is to maintain proper and clear communication between various teams and project managers irrespective of the projects that are being handled. It promotes unity and an open mindset at the workplace which is essential for the success of any business.

The initiation phase holds great value since it involves hiring a project team and setting solid goals. Without an efficient project team and clear goals, it gets difficult to perform the required duties throughout the project cycle. One of the major parts of the initiation process is project charter. It involves an overview of the project and the kind of approach that is to be taken throughout the project. It acts as a sign of authorization providing approval to the project manager and the team to access the resources being provided for the successful completion of the project. Here is a list of information that needs to be included in the project charter,

Purpose

Objectives and success criteria

Budget

Stakeholders list

Constraints and assumptions

Project manager details

Not performing the above-mentioned steps effectively can even lead to failure of the project which is not desired by any of the individuals involved in the project.

If you want to handle a project and lead a project team effectively, taking up the PMP Certification Training and getting certified by PMI - Project Management Institute is the best option. It is a globally recognized certification that expands career opportunities for professionals working in the project management field.





