Unit 2: Initiation and Planning Phases

2a. Identify the steps in project initiation

  • What research might be included when writing a business case?
  • What is involved in the project initiation phase?
  • Why is the project charter important to the project manager?

Project initiation is the first step in project management. It involves defining a project, establishing its value, and ensuring buy-in from stakeholders. This is done by creating a business case and feasibility study, identifying stakeholders, assembling the project team, writing a project charter, establishing a budget and schedule, and obtaining official approval to move a project forward.

A business case or feasibility study aims to determine the value the project might bring and the costs associated with the project. It essentially looks at the potential value and practicality to determine if a project should move forward. Once the particular project has been chosen based on this information, the project manager will identify all those involved in the project, which can include the project team, management, and external stakeholders. The project charter is a document that officially begins a project. It includes the project purpose, objectives, scope, project team, schedule, risk management, and budget and addresses the stakeholders and specific deliverables. Ultimately, this is the guiding document for a project.

To review, see:


2b. Discuss components of project planning, such as work breakdown structures and scope statements

  • What aspect of project scope planning is most difficult?
  • What is the purpose of a work breakdown structure?
  • How is a Gantt chart similar and different from the work breakdown structure?

After a project has been formally approved, the project planning begins. One of the most important aspects in the planning phase is scope planning. Project scope planning is concerned with the definition of all the work needed to successfully meet the project objectives. The project manager will consider the project requirements, which are the characteristics of the final deliverable, such as the features the product should have. 

Once a project manager knows the requirements, they can begin to create a work breakdown structure. A work breakdown structure is a tool that breaks down the project into smaller, more easily managed pieces to help understand the activities needed to meet the project requirements. It allows the project manager to see what needs to be done but also estimate how long items will take and what dependencies are part of the project. A dependency means one piece of work that must be completed before another is started. A Gantt chart can also be used, which is a type of bar chart to illustrate a project schedule.

To review, see:


Unit 2 Vocabulary

This vocabulary list includes terms you will need to know to successfully complete the final exam.

  • business case
  • dependency
  • Gantt chart
  • project charter
  • project initiation
  • project scope planning
  • work breakdown structure
Back to 'Study Guide\'