The PM² Project Canvases

The PM² Project Initiation Canvas and the PM² Project-End Canvas complement the PM² Artefacts, aiming to help project teams define key project elements during the Initiating Phase and capture lessons learned during the project’s Closing Phase. 

PM² Project Initiation Canvas

The PM² Project Initiation Canvas provides a one-page summary of the project. It captures essential elements such as project governance, scope, outcomes and outputs, stakeholders, risks, and budget. It also structures reflections on assumptions, constraints, critical success criteria, and factors. 

During the initiation phase, this canvas can facilitate project team kick-off meetings, brainstorming sessions, and discussions. It is also an effective tool for presenting the project to key stakeholders. 

However, its usefulness extends beyond the Initiating Phase. Teams can revisit the canvas throughout the project lifecycle in presentations, to mark completed milestones, or update deliverables or risks. Reflecting together on the canvas elements help align team expectations and strengthen collaboration and teamwork. 

PM² Project-End Canvas 

The PM² Project-End Canvas serves as a one-page summary of the project’s results, capturing the key outputs of the Project-End Review Meeting, as well as important lessons learned and post-project recommendations. 

Sharing both canvases across an organisation can promote the exchange of good practices, benefiting individual team members and fostering collaboration across project teams. 
 
The PM² Project Initiation Canvas and the PM² Project-End Canvas are clear, concise, and easy to use. While not a formal PM² Artefact, they are valuable resources that can enhance the effectiveness of any project.

Both templates are available in editable PPT or PDF (print) format for download on the PM² Resource page.   

Feel free to share these free and open resources within your projects, organisation, and with project partners or service providers.