Project Initiation Document (PID)
description producers & consumers template example
Description top
The working basis of a Project
A Project Initiation Document (PID) is the working basis of a Project. It defines what the Project is to achieve, how it will be organised and controlled and the constraints it must observe. Once it has been Authorised, it is the source of the authority of the Project Executive. It provides all the information necessary for the Project Executive and Project Board to:
- agree that a Project can start (by Authorising the PID)
- judge how they should react (continue?, change?, terminate?) to the reports they receive from the Project Manager about the status of his/her Project, including any concerns there might be about whether it is no longer able to meet its Business Case
- decide whether a Request for Change is acceptable
- agree whether the work is complete and the Project is ready for Closure.
Remember that a draft PID should be produced during a Bid (Prodcue and Submit Bid).
A composite document
A PID provides an overall view of a Project. For all but the smallest Projects it makes sense to break the PID down into subdocuments about key aspects of the project, including its commercial objectives, its management structure, and the timetable for that is to be done.
Subdocuments of a PID - The Project Plan
It is normal good practice to have a high level timetable for the whole project which will provide the contractual timetable and key Milestones. This document - the overall Project Plan, can be separate from or included in the the PID. The Project Plan will usually be drafted during Bidding, as part of the Provisonal Project Materials. Due to their contractual significance, the Schedule and Milestones must not be subject to frequent change.
Subdocuments of a PID - Phase/Stage Plans
A Project Plan provides a framework for detailed planning. For all but the smallest Projects the work to be done can be most effectively planned and managed if it is subdivided into separate units. These units are called Phases or Stages (the term used in the case of Projects running according to the rules of PRINCE2™). The detailed plans for the units are called Phase Plans or Stage Plans.
What a PID contains
The information in a PID has several sources including the Customer's requirements (RFP/ITT), our response (the Proposal), our own processes and standards (including the Guidepost) and those of the Customer, and the detailed information we produce during planning. Its various parts will tend to "feed" each other, for example the Project Plan will provide the costing information and timetable on which the Business Case depends.
When it is first ready for Authorisation a PID includes:
- the Project Mandate
- the Business Case
- the Project Brief
- a description of the Project Approach
- details of the Project’s organisation (management structure and Job Descriptions), reporting and control arrangements
- a statement of the Quality Requirements and the Project's Quality Plan
- the Risk Folder
- the Project Plan
- the Initiation Phase Plan.
As a Project progresses a Project Manager will develop the PID further, to include the Phase Plans for Delivery and Closure Phases. It will also include any Exception Plans which the Project Board may require the Project Manager to develop.
Authorisation of Plans
Every Project Plan, Phase Plan, Stage Plan and Exception Plan must be submitted for Authorisation by the Project Executive. In the case of Projects run according to the rules of PRINCE2™ there are particular requirements for the Authorisation and management of Stage Plans.
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Templatetop
The following Product Templates are available:
- for all types of Delivery Project:
- a Word skeleton called "Project Initiation Document", with suggested contents and advice on producing the document.
- Product Templates for the individual elements listed above may be obtained via the Find it menu item, or via the link to the relevant Product Profile in the list.
Example top
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