^ [[5 Initiating Phase]] # 5.2  Project Initiation Request The [[Project Initiation Request]] is a **project’s starting point and formalises its initiation**. By creating a Project Initiation Request, the project initiator ensures that the current context/situation (i.e. [[problem]], need or [[opportunity]]) and the project’s desired outcomes are **formally captured** and can be used as a **basis for further exploration** and elaboration. The Project Initiation Request contains basic information about the **estimated effort and cost** of undertaking the project as well as the **timeframe** for its completion and the type of delivery. Specifically, the document describes the **impact** the project is expected to bring and summarises the **success criteria** against which it will be evaluated. Additionally, the Project Initiation Request outlines the project’s **relevance to the organisation’s strategic direction** and highlights the **key assumptions, constraints and risks** as assessed at this stage. ![[Table 5.2 - Project Initiation Request.png]] ## Input - A problem, a need or an opportunity expressed by the initiator. ## Guidelines - Note that though anyone can initiate a Project Initiation Request, ==in many cases the Project Owner (PO) delegates its creation to the Business Manager (BM)==. - **Know your audience**: Depending on the project size and the organisation’s approval process, **approval can be informal** (i.e. the Project Owner (PO) accepts it), **or formal (i.e. an Appropriate Governance Body (AGB)** reviews and approves it). - Ensure **all the relevant information** is included, but at this point **limit details** to high-level information—finer points will be added in the form of the [[Business Case]] and other Project artefacts. ## Steps (for a project’s initiation) 1. The Project Initiation Request is **drafted**. 2. The Project Initiation Request is submitted for **approval** to the relevant Governing or Steering Level role. 3. Once the Project Initiation Request is approved, the project is defined in more detail with a **preliminary project scope description in the Business Case** and further **elaborated in the Project Charter**. 4. **The Solution Provider (SP) assigns the Project Manager (PM) and the Project Core Team (PCT)**. ==The Project Manager (PM) is typically assigned after the [[Business Case]] is approved (or at the latest before the completion of the Project Charter), while the Project Core Team (PCT) is typically assigned before the Planning Kick-off Meeting==. **The lifecycle of the Project Initiating Request ends with the creation of the Business Case and Project Charter.** All the information included in the Project Initiation Request is copied over, **updated and further elaborated in these two documents**, which ==remain “live” until the end of the project==. ![[Fig 5.3 Relationship between the artefacts created during the Initiating Phase.png]] ![[Fig 5.4 Project Initiation Request inputs and main roles.png]] ## Outputs - Project Initiation Request (PM2 Template) ___ Spanish Guide: [[5.2 Solicitud de Inicio de Proyecto]] <-- [[5.1 Initiating Meeting]] --> [[5.3 Business Case]]