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PRINCE2 2009 - Directing Projects with PRINCE2 part 24

Starting up a Project

Summary

PRINCE2® is not specific about who undertakes the Starting up a Project process activities because the project does not exist officially until the Project Board authorizes the initiation stage (see the section covering ‘Authorize initiation’).

The following are the recommended actions that the Executive needs either to undertake, delegate or arrange for with corporate or programme management.

Recommended actions for Starting up a Project

Confirm the understanding of the project:

  • Review the project mandate and obtain any missing information

Corporate/programme Manager to appoint the Executive and the Executive to appoint the Project Manager:

  • Identify the candidates and responsibilities for the Executive and Project Manager
  • Confirm the selected people’s availability, their acceptance of these roles and their commitment to carry them out
  • Prepare role descriptions for the Executive and Project Manager and confirm appointments with corporate or programme management.

Incorporate lessons learned:

  • Review related End Project Reports and Lessons Reports from similar projects (whether internally or externally) to identify lessons which can be applied to this project.

Design and appoint the project management team:

  • Identify candidates for remaining project management team roles and create role descriptions
  • Assess whether any members of the Project Board are likely to delegate any of their assurance responsibilities to a Project Assurance role
  • Consider whether the Project Manager will also fulfil the Team Manager(s) and Project Support roles or whether the separate individuals will be filling these roles
  • Appoint identified individuals to the roles of Senior Supplier(s), Senior User(s), Project Assurance (where appropriate), Project Support (where appropriate) and Team Managers (where appropriate)
  • Ensure that these individuals understand and are actively committed to carrying out their roles and responsibilities in the management and support of the project
  • Confirm the reporting and communication lines

Prepare the outline Business Case:

  • Assemble any relevant background information, e.g. contracts, feasibility reports, service level agreements, alignment to corporate or programme strategy etc.
  • Determine the approximate cost/benefit for the project
  • Draft the Business Case in the light of what is now known about the project; this is likely to be incomplete at this time

Prepare the project approach and assemble the Project Brief:

  • Assist and advise the Project Manager in devising the project approach and assembling the Project Brief

Plan the initiation stage:

  • Assist and advise the Project Manager during the preparation of the Initiation Stage Plan

All references above are in Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 unless stated otherwise.

PRINCE2® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.

This product contains EVERYTHING in the publications:

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 - 2005 edition
Managing successful Projects with PRINCE2 – 2009 edition
Directing Projects with PRINCE2.
plus:
The Complete Project Management package.

And much more besides - at a fantastic price.