Project initiation document
Encyclopedia
The Project Initiation Documentation bundles the information which was acquired through the Starting up a Project and Initiating a Project processes in a PRINCE2 controlled project environment. Since PRINCE2's 2009 revision it explicitly renamed the Document part of the initial definition into Documentation, which means that the methodology not so much seeks a master document describing all of the project at hand, but more the collection of documents until Authorizing a Project up to then created.
Keeping that in mind, the Project Initiation Document, or PID, is a PRINCE2
term representing the plan of approach in project management. It is assembled from a series of other documents, including the Business Case
, the Terms of Reference
, the Communication Plan, the Risk register
, the Project Tolerances, the Project plan
, and any specific project controls or inspections as part of a departmental Quality plan or common project approach. The PID represents a detailed version of the basic project start-up document called the Project Brief.
Bundled together, the PID forms the logical document that brings together all of the key information needed to start and run the project on a sound basis. It should be conveyed to all stakeholders and agreed and signed off by the business sponsors. In short, this is the, "who, why, and what", part of the project. It defines all major aspects of a project and forms the basis for its management and the assessment of overall success. The project initiation document builds upon the business case (if it exists) using the information and analysis data produced during initiation activities.
A common part of formal project methodologies such as PRINCE2
the document is a major milestone in the Initiating a Project process. It is the document that goes before the Project Board for sign- off to commence a project.
The Project Initiation Document provides a reference point throughout the project for both the customer and the Project Team.
A Project Initiation Document often contains the following
Keeping that in mind, the Project Initiation Document, or PID, is a PRINCE2
PRINCE2
PRojects IN Controlled Environments 2 is a structured project management method endorsed by the UK government as the project management standard for public projects. The methodology encompasses the management, control and organisation of a project...
term representing the plan of approach in project management. It is assembled from a series of other documents, including the Business Case
Business case
A business case captures the reasoning for initiating a project or task. It is often presented in a well-structured written document, but may also sometimes come in the form of a short verbal argument or presentation. The logic of the business case is that, whenever resources such as money or...
, the Terms of Reference
Terms of reference
Terms of reference describe the purpose and structure of a project, committee, meeting, negotiation, or any similar collection of people who have agreed to work together to accomplish a shared goal. The terms of reference of a project are often referred to as the project charter.- Terms of...
, the Communication Plan, the Risk register
Risk register
A Risk Register is a Risk Management tool commonly used in Project Management and organisational risk assessments. It acts as a central repository for all risks identified by the project or organisation and, for each risk, includes information such as risk probability, impact, counter-measures,...
, the Project Tolerances, the Project plan
Project plan
A project plan, according to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, isPRINCE2 defines:In some industries, particularly information technology, the term "project plan" can refer to a Gantt chart or other document that shows project activities along a timeline. While common, this use is inaccurate...
, and any specific project controls or inspections as part of a departmental Quality plan or common project approach. The PID represents a detailed version of the basic project start-up document called the Project Brief.
Bundled together, the PID forms the logical document that brings together all of the key information needed to start and run the project on a sound basis. It should be conveyed to all stakeholders and agreed and signed off by the business sponsors. In short, this is the, "who, why, and what", part of the project. It defines all major aspects of a project and forms the basis for its management and the assessment of overall success. The project initiation document builds upon the business case (if it exists) using the information and analysis data produced during initiation activities.
A common part of formal project methodologies such as PRINCE2
PRINCE2
PRojects IN Controlled Environments 2 is a structured project management method endorsed by the UK government as the project management standard for public projects. The methodology encompasses the management, control and organisation of a project...
the document is a major milestone in the Initiating a Project process. It is the document that goes before the Project Board for sign- off to commence a project.
The Project Initiation Document provides a reference point throughout the project for both the customer and the Project Team.
A Project Initiation Document often contains the following
- Project Goals
- Scope
- Project Organization
- Business Case
- Constraints
External links
- Project initiation document (PID) overview from the Office of Government CommerceOffice of Government CommerceThe Office of Government Commerce is part of the Efficiency and Reform Group of the Cabinet Office, a department of the Government of the United Kingdom...