CHAPTER 2

Program Initiation

Start with the end in mind.

Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Programs require significant investments, efforts, and risks. Getting a major new program started requires assumptions about correspondingly large benefits. Although it is no guarantee, starting a new program well is essential to successfully achieving its desired results. This means digging into the initial assumptions and determining that they are realistic (or, at a minimum, plausible).

This chapter discusses processes for getting a program up and running. For a program or any other major undertaking, it is prudent to align the work with the overall objectives and purpose of the sponsoring organization. Major programs are often ...

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