Business Documents
Business documents are documents that exist outside the project management plan and are used to make decisions about the project before it is initiated and throughout its lifecycle. They include the business case and the benefits management plan.
Explanation
PMI recognizes two primary business documents: the business case and the benefits management plan. These documents are distinct from both the project management plan and project documents. They are created and owned by the business or sponsor, not by the project manager, and they provide the foundational justification and expected outcomes for the project.
The business case establishes the economic feasibility and justification for the project. It answers the question, "Why should we do this project?" The benefits management plan describes how and when the benefits will be delivered and measured. It answers the question, "How will we know the project delivered its value?" Together, they form the business rationale that supports project authorization.
Business documents are inputs to the Develop Project Charter process and are referenced throughout the project lifecycle, particularly at phase gates and during project closure. The project manager does not own or modify these documents but must understand them to align project work with business objectives. If the business case or benefits management plan changes significantly, it may trigger changes to the project charter or even project cancellation.
Key Points
- •Include the business case and the benefits management plan
- •Owned by the sponsor or business, not the project manager
- •Exist outside the project management plan and project documents
- •Referenced at phase gates and during closure to verify continued business alignment
Exam Tip
The exam may ask you to classify documents. Business documents = business case + benefits management plan. They are NOT part of the project management plan and are NOT project documents. This three-way classification is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Business Case
A business case is a documented economic feasibility study that establishes the validity of the benefits of a selected component lacking sufficient definition and that is used as a basis for the authorization of further project management activities.
Benefits Management Plan
The benefits management plan is a document that describes how and when the benefits of a project will be delivered, measured, and sustained, including target benefits, strategic alignment, timelines, metrics, and ownership.
Develop Project Charter
Develop Project Charter is the process of creating the document that formally authorizes a project or phase and documents the initial requirements that satisfy stakeholder needs and expectations.
Project Documents
Project documents are the collection of documents used to manage a project that are not part of the project management plan. They include logs, registers, reports, and other records that support project execution.
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