During this phase, preparations are made for efficient realization and closure. A well-done start phase can be critical for the assignment's likelihood of success.
Some important steps:
Go through the background and work done so far
Clarify the assignment's level of ambition by formulating its business objectives, making use of a stakeholder analysis, when needed
Describe the arena for the assignment (objectives, time and resource limits as well as other conditions)
Visualize the assignment, preferably using breakdown structures
Organize the assignment and describe how the interaction should work, both within the assignment and with its environment
Plan and budget the assignment
Anchor the assignment internally and externally and secure resources
Describe the opportunities and risks of the assignment, with proposed measures
Describe how the work will be followed up and how the results will be delivered.
