Project Initiation is the creation of project by the Project Management that entails the definition of the project’s purpose, primary and secondary goals, timeframe and timeline of when goals are expected to be met. The Project Management may add additional items to the project during the Project Initiation phase. The Project Initiation phase can also be used to determine the project’s viability prior to committing the required staff, materials, and finances to the project. By meeting with the project’s key staff and team leaders, the Project Management may decide to continue with the project, develop the project further before committing to the project or terminate the project. Project Initiation is an on going process that does not stop when the project has been approved to begin. The Project Management may utilize the Project Initiation process throughout the project’s lifespan to evaluate the project’s and staff’s success and to begin corrective actions if needed. Although Project Initiation can be used as evaluation tool, it is primarily a planning tool that if used efficiently; will assist the Project Management and the project staff to effectively plan a successful program that can communicate to all levels involved from the to Project Management the staff that is responsible for the project’s completeion.
This term is defined in the 3rd and the 4th edition of the PMBOK.