---
reference_type: Focus Area
reference_id: FA01
name: Initiating
version: "1.0.0"
status: Active
pmbok8_source: "Process Groups Practice Guide — Initiating"
authority: PMI-derived
---

# FA01 — Initiating
**Type:** Focus Area
**PMBOK8 Source:** Process Groups Practice Guide — Initiating
**Version:** 1.0.0

## Definition
Initiating is the focus area in which the project or phase is formally defined and authorized. It establishes the project's existence within the organization, identifies the sponsoring authority, defines the high-level scope and objectives, and confirms the initial stakeholder landscape. The project officially begins here, and without the authorizations produced in this focus area, no subsequent work carries organizational legitimacy. Initiating applies both at project start and at the beginning of each major phase in multi-phase projects.

## Entry Conditions
- A business need, problem, opportunity, or strategic directive has been identified and assessed by a portfolio or sponsoring authority
- An organizational decision to initiate the project has been made and is documented
- Sufficient organizational context (enterprise environmental factors and organizational process assets) is available to evaluate feasibility
- A sponsor or authorizing executive is available and willing to commit resources and authority

## Primary Activities
- Develop or validate the Business Case to confirm the project's strategic alignment and value proposition
- Develop the Project Charter to formally authorize the project and define high-level scope, objectives, assumptions, constraints, and budget
- Formally assign the Project Manager with defined authority and accountability
- Identify stakeholders and populate the initial Stakeholder Register
- Establish initial governance structure and decision-authority framework
- Define high-level project objectives and success criteria
- Capture and document enterprise environmental factors and organizational process assets relevant to the project

## Primary Outputs / Artifacts Produced
| Artifact | Purpose |
|---|---|
| A01 — Business Case | Documents the justification for the project, confirming strategic alignment and expected benefits |
| A04 — Project Charter | Formally authorizes the project, assigns the PM, and defines high-level scope, objectives, and budget |
| A07 — Stakeholder Register (initial) | Records all identified stakeholders with initial interest, influence, and engagement assessments |
| A35 — Governance and Decision Authority Record (initial) | Establishes the initial governance structure, decision rights, and escalation paths |

## Artifacts Consumed (Inputs)
| Artifact | Source |
|---|---|
| A05 — Context Register (EEF/OPA capture) | Organizational process assets and enterprise environmental factors supplied by the sponsoring organization |
| Business need / strategic directive | Portfolio management decision or executive sponsorship authority |

## Skills Active in This Focus Area
| Skill ID | Skill Name |
|---|---|
| SKL-02-01 | Develop Project Charter |
| SKL-02-02 | Identify Stakeholders |

## Relationship to Performance Domains
Initiating activates a focused subset of performance domains at their earliest and most foundational level:

- **PD8-01 — Governance:** The project or phase is formally authorized (Initiate Project or Phase process), establishing the business case and governance boundaries.
- **PD8-05 — Stakeholders:** Initial stakeholder identification and analysis (Identify Stakeholders process) occurs, populating the initial Stakeholder Register.

All other performance domains (Scope, Schedule, Finance, Resources, Risk) are not yet formally active but may have early organizational inputs that inform the charter.

## Exit Criteria / Quality Gate
- Project Charter is signed by the authorizing sponsor
- Project Manager is formally named and has accepted the assignment with defined authority
- Initial budget or funding authorization is documented in the charter
- Initial Stakeholder Register is populated with at least the key stakeholders
- Governance structure and decision authority are documented
- Sponsor sign-off on all initiating artifacts is obtained
- Transition to FA02 Planning is explicitly authorized

*Authority: Process Groups Practice Guide — Initiating · Source type: PMI-derived*
*Repository: https://github.com/fakhruldeen/PMOSkills*
