PRINCE2 starts with an instruction, usually a document but it can take the form of a verbal instruction. This is a Project Mandate.
A project mandate is effectively an authority to do the Start Up work with a view to running the project. The Mandate sets out a fair amount of detail opf what the intended project is about, this can save alot of time in Start Up.
In reality though, the Mandate contains little information. At the very least a Mandate should outline the project idea and name a manager who will be executive and take responsibility for Start Up and then the project overall.
There is no set list of things to be included in a Mandate but there should be the following information to create a good Mandate.
✔ Scope - An outline of what the project is about and what it aims to deliver
✔ Responsibilities - Who is to be in overall charge of the project (the Executive) and who the Project Manager is to be.
✔ Objectives - What the project is aiming to achieve for example savings, faster customer service etc
✔ Key constraints - Things that may limit the project for example budgets, time, integration with related business procedures.
