Essay Undergraduate 736 words

The Importance of the Initiation Phase in Project Management

~4 min read 5 sections Technology · Healthcare Information Technology

Abstract

This paper examines the importance of the initiation phase in project management, drawing on a study by LeRouge, Tulu, and Wood (2014) published in the International Journal of Healthcare Information Systems and Informatics. Using a multiple case study approach focused on telestroke projects, the authors demonstrate that the initiation phase exerts the greatest influence on overall project outcomes. Key elements discussed include the development of a clear project definition, strategic vision, and stakeholder collaboration. The paper argues that a solid initiation foundation — built through comprehensive collaboration and rigorous analysis — minimizes the risk of problems in later stages and improves the likelihood of delivering a project on time, within budget, and to specification.

Key Takeaways

Introduction: Defining project success and the initiation claim
The Role of Project Initiation in IT Projects: Literature on project definition, vision, and telemedicine
Research Methodology and Findings: Telestroke case studies and collaboration findings
Implications for Project Management Practice: Stakeholder input, lean development, actor network theory
Conclusion: Collaboration as foundation for project success

✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾

What makes this paper effective

The paper grounds its argument in a peer-reviewed journal article, using it as a primary lens to explore a broader claim about project management best practice.
It moves logically from theoretical context to empirical evidence to practical application, giving the argument a clear arc.
The conclusion ties the specific research findings back to general project management principles, broadening the relevance of a narrow case study.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates effective use of source synthesis — combining a specific journal article (LeRouge et al., 2014) with a textbook reference (Schwalbe, 2010) and supporting literature (Fleurant et al., 2011) to build a multi-source argument. Rather than summarizing one source at a time, the student weaves citations together to reinforce a central claim, which is a hallmark of graduate-level academic writing.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens by defining project success and introducing the central claim that initiation is the most critical phase. It then reviews the literature on project definition and strategic vision, describes the multiple case study methodology used in the primary research, and presents findings on collaboration as a success factor. The final paragraph applies these findings to broader project management contexts, referencing lean development and actor network theory before concluding with a practical recommendation.

📘 Read the full essay guide → Build your outline → Generate a thesis → Generate citations → 📚 More Healthcare Information Technology examples →

Essay 736 words

Introduction

For a project to be classified as successful, it should be delivered on time, within budget, and to the correct specifications (Schwalbe, 2010). All stages of project management are important, but in a recent article published in the International Journal of Healthcare Information Systems and Informatics, LeRouge, Tulu, and Wood (2014) argue that the initiation stage is the most important. In their article titled "Project Initiation for Telemedicine Services," the authors study the initiation of telemedicine services, arguing that a collaborative process is especially critical during this stage.

The Role of Project Initiation in IT Projects

The article notes that the introduction of telemedicine technology into an organization may be challenging. A literature review is presented that supports the argument that the initiation process is the most important stage for the successful implementation of a project that will provide long-term, sustainable benefits. During the project initiation phase, a clear project definition is developed. Evidence within the literature review and elsewhere emphasizes the need for a good project definition to provide clarity for a project — not only defining what is needed, but also establishing constraints so that the project does not become sidetracked (LeRouge et al., 2014; Schwalbe, 2010).

The definition phase is also noted as being important because it is the stage at which the project's vision is set (LeRouge et al., 2014). The need for strategic vision and thorough preparation for an IT project is as important as for any other type of project. The authors focus on telemedicine, as this is an area that appears to have been underrepresented in the research. The study employs a multiple case study approach to assess the way in which the initiation phase takes place.

Research Methodology and Findings

The primary research was undertaken using multiple case studies in order to gain an in-depth insight into the way that telemedicine projects were implemented and to identify best practice (LeRouge et al., 2014). Because there are many varieties of telemedicine, the research used only a single type of project — telestroke projects — in order to create direct comparability between the different cases.

The research findings supported the expected outcomes indicated in the literature review: that all stages of project management are important, but that project initiation is able to exert a significant influence on the project outcome and is the most sensitive and most important phase if project goals are to be met (LeRouge et al., 2014). Importantly, it was found that a common feature of the initiation phase was the use of collaboration. Comprehensive collaboration and strong analysis of the results of that collaboration were positively associated with a greater potential for the project to be completed successfully (LeRouge et al., 2014). This finding also supported earlier research on general healthcare IT projects, in which initiation was identified as a critical phase and collaboration was associated with success (Fleurant et al., 2011; Schwalbe, 2010).

1 Section Hidden · 130 words

Implications for Project Management Practice130 words

The application of these findings to other projects indicates the need to undertake the initiation phase carefully, as it is the foundation of the project, and a solid foundation will minimize the potential for unexpected issues to arise. The use of stakeholder input during the definition phase provides key…

View Full Document

Conclusion

In conclusion, collaboration will enrich and increase the potential for a solid foundation to be created, upon which the project can progress. Increased input at the initiation stage, along with sufficient analysis and decision-making based on that input, may minimize the potential for problems at later stages of project management.

References

Fleurant, M., Kell, R., Love, J., Jenter, C., Volk, L. A., Zhang, F., Bates, D. W., & Simon, S. R. (2011). Massachusetts e-health project increased physicians' ability to use registries, and signals progress toward better care. Health Affairs, 30(7), 1256–1264.

LeRouge, C. M., Tulu, B., & Wood, S. (2014). Project initiation for telemedicine services. International Journal of Healthcare Information Systems and Informatics, 9(2), 64–85.

Schwalbe, K. (2010). Information technology project management. Cengage.

Key Concepts in This Paper

Project Initiation Stakeholder Collaboration Telemedicine Project Definition IT Project Management Telestroke Projects Strategic Vision Lean Development Actor Network Theory Project Success