1st Phase of Project Management

The Start Phase is the first phase of project management. During this phase, we formally initiate and create the project plan. The Start Phase is critical to the project’s success, setting the foundation for the rest of the project lifecycle.

Key Activities

  • Identifying the project’s scope, goals, objectives, deliverables, and constraints.
  • Identifying the stakeholders, including those affected by the project, directly and indirectly.
  • Creating the project charter, which is a document that formally authorizes the project and defines its scope, objectives, and stakeholders.
  • Creating the project plan, which is a document that outlines the project’s schedule, budget, and resources.

Project Deliverables

Purpose

The purpose project management deliverables include an Assessment Document, BCD (business case document), CDD (concept description document), A3 Form, SBAR (situation, background, assessment, recommendation), Project Charter, Project Canvas, Requirements List (product, business, functional, non-functional), Benefits Management Plan, plans on managing requirements, Requirements Documentation, RTM (requirements traceability matrix), Affinity Diagrams, Mind Maps, SIPOC (supplier, input, process, output, consumer) Process, Flowcharts (process maps, process flows, process flow diagrams), Change Management Plans, User Stories, Product Scope Statement, Project Scope Statement, Executive Summary, PBS (product breakdown structure), Design Documents (product, software, hardware, process), and a Phase Gate Review Report.

Time

The time project management deliverables include a Project Methodology, WBS (work breakdown structure), WBS Dictionary, Product Backlog, Milestones List with Durations, Activities List with Durations, Project Schedule, Critical Path, and Agile Release Plans.

People

The people project management deliverables include plans on managing resources, Resources Assigned to Activity List, RACI (responsible, accountable, consulted, informed) Chart, RBS (resource breakdown structure), Training Plans, Recognition Plans, Project Organizational Charts, Team Charter, plans on managing stakeholders, Stakeholders Analysis, Stakeholders Register, Vendors Register, plans on managing vendors and procurement, and Project Calendars.

Money

The money project management deliverables include plans on managing money, ROM (rough order of magnitude), Estimated Cost List, Budget, Purchased Orders, Contracts, Agreements, Cost Summary, Funding Requirements List, RFPs (request for proposal), RFQs (request for quotation or request for qualification), and RFIs (request for information).

Communications

The communications project management deliverables include plans on managing communications and Communication Technology Documentation.

Metrics

The metrics project management deliverables include plans on managing metrics (process improvement metrics, key performance indicators, data, etc.), Quality Checklists, and plans to manage quality.

RIDAC

The RIDAC (risks, issues, decisions, actions, and changes) project management deliverables include plans on managing RIDACs, RIDAC Lists, RIDAC Matrix, RIDAC Reports, RBS (RIDAC breakdown structure), Contingency Plans, SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats), P&I (probability and impact) Matrix, Testing Plans (unit, integration, system, UAT (user acceptance testing)), Lessons Learned, and Best Practices.

The Start Phase is often overlooked but is an essential part of project management. Properly defining the project and creating a solid project plan can increase your chances of project success. Let’s move on to the Work Phase.

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