Project Initiation Checklist

November 2024

SO WHERE DO I START...

Congratulations! Your project was approved, and you have been released to proceed! With a quick handshake, you have been released to go forth and conquer. Would these words strike fear into your heart? Do you understand what is expected of you over the next 30, 60, or 90 days to properly 'launch' the new project. Or would you default to some tried and true "go-by" from a previous project or maybe even an ex-employer?

Then reality sets in - I need to assemble my Project Team immediately...But do you have the project-specific Job Responsibilities ready to issue as you onboard each team member? Will your management support your personnel requests? What if one of your Senior Team members is not available - what's then? My guess all the above is running through your mind as well as another list of items to commence...

SO DO YOU HAVE A PLAN...

My guess, and only a guess, is that you have some document that you have developed over the years that will give you direction on how to get started. It may be a list of Action Items, or just a notebook filled with your thoughts and successes from past projects. Your company may have a large set of guidelines (note the choice of my word here) to follow when commencing a new project.

But they have hired you for what you own between your two ears - your cold, calculating and knowledgeable project execution acumen. Or at least that is what I tell myself. I go back to the first paragraph header - what's the Plan?

TOOLS FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS...

If you are like me, you are neither extremely rich (or you would be retired) nor famous among your peers. Well, help is on the way. You would ask, "What help,and how will it make the project launch successful?" Let's consider this question and find a solution for you...

A MATCH MADE HERE ON EARTH...

I will explain what my silver bullet is for you, and your team members' future success.

The Project Initiation Checklist was developed over years to help people like you and me...But know this - it takes a team to execute the necessary activities to launch any new project successfully.

I offer up the Project Initiation Checklist, not as the holy grail for Project Managers - but only as a guideline to help direct you and your team on this quest.

THE PROJECT INITIATION CHECKLIST...

The checklist is comprised of sixteen different sections, they are:

• Contract

• Project Set-up

• Project Planning

• Project Kick-off Meeting

• Project Quality

• Project Schedule

• Project Staffing

• CADD

• Project Coordination

• Project Procedures

• Project Costs

• Project Procurement

• Project HSE

• Project Constructability

• Weekly Meeting Handouts

• (Last to decide) IPA VIP's

Some of these sections may be spearheaded by another group that reports to you only functionally. That does not relieve you from ensuring the specific activity is started on time, is fully developed prior to release, and has both your and management's approval. I will admit the sections listed above my not be complete - that is here you come in and tailor the sections not rocket science but just good old common sense to meet the needs of your specific project.

Next month, I will show you an example and provide more insight...