Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

Which process group involves defining and authorizing the project?

1. Planning

2. Executing

3. Initiating

4. Closing

The correct answer is: Initiating

The process group that involves defining and authorizing the project is the Initiating phase. This phase is crucial as it lays the groundwork for the entire project. During the Initiating process, key activities include identifying the project’s purpose, scope, and stakeholders, as well as securing the necessary approvals to move forward. In this phase, project managers develop a project charter, which formally authorizes the existence of the project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities. By establishing a clear direction and authorization at this stage, the project can progress with clarity on objectives and stakeholder expectations. The other process groups serve different functions: Planning focuses on establishing the roadmap for achieving project objectives, Executing involves carrying out the defined plan and managing project resources, while Closing encompasses finalizing all project activities and formally closing the project or phase. Each of these groups plays a critical role in the project life cycle, but the specific activities of defining and authorizing the project are uniquely positioned within the Initiating group.