Chapter 2. Understand Project Initiating

This chapter covers the following PMP exam topics: Initiating Process Group—3.3 Develop Project Charter—4.1 Identify Stakeholders—10.1 (For more information on the PMP exam topics, see “About the PMP Exam” in the introduction.)

The first process group you will encounter in the project life cycle is the initiating process group. Although initiating is a relatively small topic that represents less than 10% of the questions on the PMP exam, it is an important topic. In addition to being a small topic, it is also one with which most project managers have little experience. In spite of clear PMI definitions of activities that should be carried out during initiating, many organizations approach the initial steps of projects differently. As a result, your firsthand experience might differ with the PMI recommendations in this process group. Don’t trivialize the material in this chapter. Ensure that you understand initiating before moving on to tackle some of the larger topics.