Chapter 2. Understanding Project Initiation

2. Understanding Project Initiation

Terms you'll need to understand:

	Assumptions
	Constraints
	Go/No-go decision
	Management by objectives (MBO)
	Project boundaries
	Project charter
	Project initiation
	Project initiator
	Project scope
	Project selection
	Project sponsor

Techniques and concepts you'll need to master:

	Gathering initial project information
	Project authorization
	Understanding the importance of project initiation
	Assignment of project manager
	Shared project ownership
	Developing a project charter
	Developing a preliminary project scope statement
	Knowing the difference between initiating and planning process group activities

The first process group you will encounter in the project life cycle is project initiation. Although project initiation is a relatively small topic that represents less than 10% of the questions on the PMP exam, it is an important topic. In addition to being a small topic, it is also one with which most project managers have little experience. In spite of clear PMI definitions of activities that should be carried out during project initiation, many organizations approach the initial steps of projects differently. As a result, your firsthand experience might differ with the PMI recommendations in this process group. Don't trivialize the material in this chapter. Ensure that you understand project initiation before moving on to tackle some of the larger topics.