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3 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESSES

3.3 Initiating Process Group

The Initiating Process Group consists of those processes performed to define a new project or a new phase
of an existing project by obtaining authorization to start the project or phase. Within the Initiating processes, the
initial scope is defined and initial financial resources are committed. Internal and external stakeholders who
will interact and influence the overall outcome of the project are identified. If not already assigned, the project
manager will be selected. This information is captured in the project charter and stakeholder register. When the
project charter is approved, the project becomes officially authorized. Although the project management team may
help write the project charter, this standard assumes that business case assessment, approval, and funding are
handled externally to the project boundaries (Figure 3-4). A project boundary is defined as the point in time that
a project or project phase is authorized to its completion. The key purpose of this Process Group is to align the
stakeholders’ expectations with the project’s purpose, give them visibility about the scope and objectives, show
how their participation in the project and it associated phases can ensure that their expectations are achieved.
These processes help set the vision of the project—what is needed to be accomplished.

Project
Boundaries
Monitoring &
Controlling Processes
Planning Project End
Processes Deliverables Users
Project
Initiator/ Project Initiating Closing
Sponsor Inputs Processes Processes

Project Process
Executing Records Assets
Processes

Figure 3-4. Project Boundaries

Large complex projects should be divided into separate phases. In such projects, the Initiating processes are
carried out during subsequent phases to validate the decisions made during the original Develop Project Charter
and Identify Stakeholders processes. Performing the Initiating processes at the start of each phase helps to keep
the project focused on the business need that the project was undertaken to address. The success criteria are
verified, and the influence, drivers and objectives of the project stakeholders are reviewed. A decision is then
made as to whether the project should be continued, delayed, or discontinued.

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