ABSTRACT
A programme's success or failure can be heavily influenced by what happens in its identification and initiation. This chapter describes a completed identification and initiation, the end state of the processes and outlines the goals of a successful start-up. It explores other important things to achieve at the end of initiation, including: initial alignment of the projects towards the common goal; and understanding of the programme from a project perspective. Programme identification and initiation are the foundation processes that establish and then protect the business case, ensuring that clear direction and focus can be maintained throughout programme delivery. Programme initiation is the consolidation of a number of detailed planning activities that define precisely what the programme will deliver, how the programme will operate and the business case behind the good idea. On completion there must be a fully formed definition of where the programme wants to go.
