Mandate

The Mandate is a simple (often one-page) document that describes the need for the project and initial understanding.

The Mandate may used be in Gate 0 discussion to help decide whether the project is worth continuing.

The Mandate is typically handed to the person who will be managing the Discovery phase, to help them understand the problem and thence plan for Discovery activities.

Completing the Mandate is typically done by an overall Change Manager in conversation with the originator of the project.

This may be an extension of early one-line information. In the Discovery stage it will be extended again in the Requirements as more detail is identified.

Template

Origination

Project ID/name:
Person originating:
Date of origination:

Background

This gives information so help understand the history and business context that led to the problem.

Problem

This describes the problem or issue that the project intends to resolve.

Who or what	How affected

Implications of not resolving this problem:

People

This lists people to interview or otherwise may help during the discovery phase.

Person	Contact detail	Notes

Materials

These are documents and other material that may be useful for review in the Discovery phase. This can include web pages, meeting minutes and so on.

Document/Item	Location

Constraints

This lists factors that limit what may be done in the Discovery phase, such as timescales, secrecy, etc.

Constraint	Note

Guidelines

This section offer non-mandatory suggestions that will help the Discovery phase to be successful, for example notes around organizational politics.