1.0 INITIATING PROCESS GROUP The purpose of the initiating process group is to authorize a project, provide a high-level definition of the project, and identify stakeholders. There are two processes in the initiating process group:

• Develop Project Charter
• Identify Stakeholders

The intent of the initiating process group is to at least:
• Authorize a project
• Identify project objectives
• Define the initial scope of the project
• Obtain organizational commitment
• Assign a project manager
• Identify project stakeholders

As the first processes in the project, the initiating processes are vital to starting a project effectively. These processes can be revisited throughout the project for validation and elaboration as needed. The forms used to document initiating information include:

• Project Charter
• Stakeholder Register
• Stakeholder Analysis Matrix

1.1 PROJECT CHARTER The project charter is a document that formally authorizes a project or phase. The project charter defi nes the reason for the project and assigns a project manager and his or her authority level for the project. The contents of the charter describe the project in high-level terms, such as:
• Project purpose or justification
• High-level project description
• High-level requirements
• Project objectives and related success criteria
• High-level risks
• Summary milestone schedule
• Summary budget
• Stakeholder list
• Project approval requirements
• Assigned project manager, responsibility, and authority level
• Name and authority of the sponsor or other person(s) authorizing the project charter

Use the information from your project to tailor the form to best meet your needs. The project charter can receive information from:
• Agreements (contracts)
• Statements of work
• Business case It provides information to:
• Stakeholder Register
• Project Management Plan
• Scope Management Plan
• Project Scope Statement
• Requirements Documentation
• Requirements Management Plan
• Requirements Traceability Matrix
• Schedule Management Plan
• Cost Management Plan
• Risk Management Plan

The project charter is an output from the process 4.1 Develop Project Charter in the PMBOK® Guide—Fifth Edition.You can use the element descriptions in Table 1.1 to assist you in developing a project charter.
TABLE 1.1 Elements of a Project Charter