When you're past the proposals stage of launching a project, you could be raring to go, but at this stage you need to maintain your patience as the initiative is at a very crucial stage.

As soon as you're ready to get going with the assignment then you're in the initiation stage. This is a vulnerable time for the project because if problems aren't picked up here, they could cause massive issues later on. A lot still needs to happen before you set the wheels in motion and it's wise to very carefully plan the following few weeks and months.

What information do you need?

It's easy to feel you might be going over ground that's already been covered in conversations and meetings at this point in the project. But it's still important to get the basics covered and established before going ahead and launching activities to deliver objectives. Firstly, take time to note why the project is actually going ahead, as this makes objectives very clear.

Also, consider the product or service that you'll be responsible for delivering to the client and how you'll go about doing this - already you may see obstacles cropping up that can be dealt with straight away. Next, consider who you'll have to help and record all the stakeholders that have an interest in the project concerned. It goes without saying that they are a very important part of this process, especially as they are likely to have influence over essential aspects of the assignment, which may directly impact your plans. Finally, get detailed information regarding the time you have to complete the assignment and the resources that are available.

Helpful documents

A written and signed contract will form the centre of the project and is a legal document. But there are many other files that you can put together that will see you being able to thoroughly organise the project in its early stages and beyond. An initiation document could be compared to a contract simply because it contains lots of information pertaining to the task at hand. All the information you've collected, which has been described previously, can be placed in these files and shared with all those involved.

Within the files will be a summary of the main objective, along with deliverables, deadlines and details of stakeholders. Also, it may help you to include any constraints and data concerning risk management strategies. At this point you may want to input some of the data into software, such as Microsoft Project, or apply recognised project management systems like Prince2.

Arrange meetings

A meeting is a good way to start your project properly, especially if you have an initiation document to hand. You ought to invite all those on the project board, as well as stakeholders and those colleagues who are assisting you. This allows you to make the necessary introductions and answer any questions that arise regarding the initiation document and your planned management of the task.

From this meeting you need to decide how the project will move forward and put in place a communication plan for your team and the stakeholders. The event is likely to lead to a healthy debate, which could result in outcomes and decisions that need to be included in the initiation files. If the meeting steers too far from its course, use the document to bring it back on track.

By working through these three stages, you will be making sure that your project's foundations are sound, clarify the expectations of stakeholders and enable the successful delivery of your project.