Introduction
In the Define Phase, you are proposing a project to senior management and stakeholders using a brief written description.
Your key activities are to:
- Understand stakeholder interests and expectations
- Establish a shared high-level understanding of the proposed project and its intended results
- Seek approval from senior management to move to the
Plan Phase.
Typically the deliverable for the Define Phase is the Project Definition Document.
The
Project Definition Document is not a
Project Plan. It is much shorter, and it is designed to ensure there is enough interest in a project to justify the effort required to write a
Project Plan ,
Schedule, and Budget.
A
Business Case and Cost Benefit Analysis are produced instead of or in addition to a Project Definition Document when senior management needs a more detailed justification for a project.
Business Cases are often required when projects
- Need large budgets
- Need new funding
- Will have a big impact on the organization, or
- Will have a big impact on service delivery.
If your Project Definition Document and/or Business Case are approved, you move from the Define Phase to the
Plan Phase.
Questions? Check our
FAQs for answers.
Key Deliverables
When you complete deliverables in the Define Phase, you answer the following key questions:
Is this the right project?
What results should it achieve?
How will success be measured?
Key Resources
These job aids will help you complete project management deliverables in this phase. See the
Resources section for other materials that may be useful.
