The Project Initiation process group involves gathering and documenting initial information from people who request a project. The deliverable is a documented and approved agreement (e.g., in a Project Charter) that becomes the basis for planning the project.
The Project Initiation process group begins when a State of Nebraska organization requests a project.
Purpose:
The goal of Project Initiation is to determine whether to proceed with a project. The decision to proceed is based on information gathered and documented during this process. Information agreed upon is the foundation for the Project Planning process.
Responsibilities:
Management is responsible for ensuring the completion of this process group. However, management may assign others to complete the process steps.
Exit Criteria:
Project Initiation moves into Project Planning when the requesting and performing organizations provide an authorization to proceed.
Steps - Project Initiation
Ask management how the project will be authorized (e.g., via Project Charter, work order, or other means).
Determine or gather information that the requesting and performing organizations need in order to decide whether to proceed. Document this information, as needed.
Obtain agreement and written authorization to proceed from the requesting and performing organizations.
Deliverables - Project Initiation Process
Depending on the type of project, management from the requesting and performing organizations may agree to authorize via work order, a Project Charter, an Advanced Planning Document (APD), a Grant Authorization Request, or other means. If a Project Charter is needed, you can use the information below to help you through the process; otherwise, work with management to make necessary information available to support a decision to proceed.
Project Charter
The Project Charter is a high-level, management agreement and authorization to perform work. The requesting or performing organization can ask that a Project Charter be created. This document is a record of the initial understanding of the project; once approved, it is not updated.
Who is responsible? Management is responsible for completing the Project Charter; however, the document itself may be written by anyone with the required knowledge and skill (often a team effort involving the requesting and performing organizations).
When is this started? Begin work on the Project Charter after the project has been identified. The document is completed before moving ahead with the Planning process group.
Where do I begin? Instructions for completing this deliverable are in the Project Charter template (Word Doc 49k) .
... leading the way 
The Project Initiation process group involves gathering and documenting initial information from people who request a project. The deliverable is a documented and approved agreement (e.g., in a Project Charter) that becomes the basis for planning the project.