The Project Mandate is the document which should trigger off a project for Prince2.

What is it? A document which lays down the instruction and basic information, that lead the project being started.

Why? The mandate is essentially the instruction from corporate or programme management to start using the Prince2 methodology to achieve the desired objectives.

The document lays down the bare bones of what the project is required to achieve. In the first stage of Prince2 Starting Up a Project the mandate is built up to create the Project Brief.

Who Usually written by corporate or programme management. Whoever produces the document must carry sufficient authority to ensure the project can proceed.

How The mandate as with all Prince2 documentation be tailored to meet the needs of the project. A simple example is that the mandate for an aircraft carrier is likely to be much more extensive than for a team re-organisation.

The project could be a new piece of work, part of a wider programme or the outcome of a previous investigation.

Contents of the mandate might include:-

 *Authority responsible
 *Background
 *Project objectives
 *Scope
 *Constraints
 *Interfaces
 *Quality expectations
 *Outline business case
 *associated documents or sources (referenced)
 *Indication as to who the project executive and project manager should be.
 *Who the customer(s) are
 *Who the user(s) are
 *Any other interested parties.

At the bare minimum enough info should be available to indentify the Project Executive and the subject matter of the project.

Related Articles
Softwaretest Speed Up Business Case
Managing Stage Boundaries
Closing A Project
Managing Product Delivery
Controlling A Stage CS
ITIL - PRINCE2