Phase 1: Concept Milestones - 1

Input: Identification of Opportunity/Need

Note: Not all Milestones are necessarily applicable to all projects
Milestone descriptions should be modified to suit the area of application

1. Project Sponsor and Concept Phase Manager identified
2. Project concept statement formulated
3. Stakeholders & Customers identified
4. Realistic Stakeholder Requirements identified

Phase 1: Concept Milestones - 2

5. Concept Description developed
6. Regulatory and other Approvals identified (if applicable)
7. Preliminary timetable set
8. Alternative solutions identified and evaluated
9. First iteration and possible alternatives reviewed with stakeholders

In some areas of application, it may be necessary to repeat milestones 4 through 9 more than once

10. Best alternative agreed and signed off
11. Key Success Indicators identified

Phase 1: Concept Milestones - 3

12. Business Case (including justification, Order of Magnitude Cost and Project Priority Class identified)
13. Project Concept documented and approved (I.e. Preliminary Project Scope Description)
14. Project Budget worksheet prepared for Phase 2
15. Approval to Proceed to Phase 2 submitted

This submission is often referred to as a "Business Case"

16. Approval to Proceed to Phase 2 obtained

Output: Business Case and Approval for next Phase

Phase 2: Definition Milestones - 1

Stage 1 - System Scope Identification

Input: Phase 1 Business Case and Authorization

Note: Not all Milestones are necessarily applicable to all projects

1. Definition Phase Manager appointed (or reconfirmed)
2. Support staff identified
3. Entire set of systems for the project identified

Including those satisfying environmental, regulatory & safety requirements (if applicable)

Phase 2: Definition Milestones - 2

4. Scope & technical performance of each system established
5. Overall project scope documentation updated
6. Project documentation-to-date reviewed and approved by stakeholders
7. A Definition Class Estimate completed

To ensure that the expected cost is still in line with the original Concept Phase intent

Stage 1 Output: Approved System Scope Description

Phase 2: Definition Milestones - 3

Stage 2 - Project Planning

Input: Approved Systems Scope Description

8. Scope breakdown structure covering complete Systems Scope description developed

9. Scope of Work (I.e. activity descriptions) required to accomplish each System Scope Description (or Work Package) developed
10. Implementation Plan Developed

Including organization, milestone schedule, quality grade & safety provisions, & Key Success Indicators

Phase 2: Definition Milestones - 4

11. Implementation Class Estimate (ICE) developed

Including cost of Transfer Phase

12. ICE estimate converted to viable Project Implementation Budget for Phases 3 & 4
13. Complete documentation assembled into a "Project Charter" submitted for Approval-to-Proceed to Phases 3 & 4

Sometimes referred to as a "Project Brief"

14. Approval to Proceed obtained

Stage 2 Output: Approved Project Charter

To be continued. . .

Guidelines For Managers

Phase 1: Concept Milestones - 1