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Why Must You Define Project Objectives Before Creating a Project Charter?
As a new project manager, understanding the correct sequence of initiation activities is critical for success. Learn why defining clear project objectives is the foundational first step that must precede creating a project charter, identifying stakeholders, and assembling a team.
Question
You are a new manager at Kindig Precision Machinery. Your director, Kurt, has asked you to manage a project team tasked with reducing excessive costs and wasteful duplication. Kurt gives you his view of the project goals, explicitly outlines the responsibilities, and suggests some individuals you should consider for your team. What is your most important first step?
A. Create a project charter.
B. Assemble the best team to brainstorm solutions.
C. Determine who are the key project stakeholders.
D. Determine the project objectives.
Answer
D. Determine the project objectives.
Explanation
You must have clearly defined project objectives before addressing the other activities involved in the project management process, such as creating a charter.
This is the most important first step because clearly defined project objectives serve as the foundation for all subsequent project activities. Although the director has provided his perspective, your responsibility as the project manager is to translate that high-level view into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives. These formal objectives articulate what the project must accomplish to be considered successful and provide a clear definition of the desired end state. Without this clarity, the project lacks direction.
The other options are necessary project management activities, but they logically follow the establishment of objectives.
A. Create a project charter: A project charter is the formal document that authorizes the project and grants you authority as the manager. However, a key component of the charter is the section on project goals and objectives. You cannot complete the charter without first having determined and defined the objectives.
B. Assemble the best team: Selecting the right team members depends on the skills and expertise required to meet the project’s goals. You must first understand the objectives to identify the necessary competencies for team selection. Assembling a team without clear objectives risks misalignment and inefficiency.
C. Determine who are the key project stakeholders: While stakeholder identification is a very early and critical step, the project objectives are what primarily inform who the stakeholders are. The objectives clarify who will be impacted by the project’s outcomes, who has influence, and whose requirements must be managed, allowing for a more accurate and complete stakeholder analysis.
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