How business cases, charters, sponsors, and kickoff preparation establish a project's purpose, authority, and initial alignment.
Discovery determines whether an initiative is justified; initiation establishes authority to proceed.
| Artifact | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Business case | Explains expected value, strategic fit, options, assumptions, costs, benefits, and key risks |
| Project charter | Formally authorizes work and identifies sponsor, objective, high-level scope, authority, and constraints |
| Stakeholder analysis | Identifies affected parties, interests, influence, and engagement needs |
| Kickoff preparation | Aligns participants on purpose, roles, working methods, and immediate next steps |
A kickoff aligns the team but does not substitute for formal authorization. Do not build detailed schedules or procure major commitments until purpose, sponsor, and decision authority are sufficiently clear.