Project Initiation Activities
How we begin our projects can influence how we end, so start your project off on a firm footing with project initiation activities.
Project Initiation is the initial phase of managing a project. During this phase, rather than jumping straight from an idea into planning, we can clarify our project’s purpose and parameters and set the stage for collaboration, supporting buy-in and engagement.
During project initiation, mission-driven organizations should:
Gain Project Approval
Whether through a formal or informal process, projects should be “approved” by leadership or initiators. During approval, it’s useful to consider project alignment (How well does the project align with our strategic priorities and objectives?), feasibility (Do we have or need to obtain funding or resources?), and impact (What are the short-term and long-term impacts of the project and its outcomes on our team, organization, and community?).
Set or Confirm Project Parameters
Get clarity on the project’s value and expectations! What’s the project scope or purpose? Who are our key stakeholders? What is your project’s total budget? When is the final deadline or dates we expect our outcomes to be completed or delivered? What criteria or quality measures must our outcomes meet?
Hold a Project Kickoff Meeting
Support buy-in and engagement with a launch or kickoff meeting. Invite project initiators, team members, and other key stakeholders to discuss the project scope and project parameters and begin project planning. See our Project Initiation Meeting Agenda for meeting ideas.
When we move straight from idea to planning and skip these initiation activities, our projects can get off to a shaky start. Project Initiation activities allow us to gain clarity and set our teams up for success throughout the rest of the project.
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