The project rationale provides justification for undertaking a project by identifying the need, explaining the background, and offering viable solutions. It is one of the first documents written by the project manager and sets the context for the business case by describing the problem, market opportunities, and organizational strategy. The rationale should clearly articulate reasons for project approval, analyze determinants like risks and resources, and recommend preferred solutions based on lessons from prior projects.

1. Nader Jarmooz 2012

2. The Project Rationale is a statement of facts
explaining the background of the project.
The rationale identifies the need for the
product or process and offers viable
solutions.
The rationale is one of the first documents to
be written by the Project Manager and sets
the background for the Business Case.

3. Project rationale explains why the project must go
ahead, as suggested by Young (2007), and
what would happen if the project was not
approved for further considerations.
The project rationale is the first document that will
be studied by project Board and therefore can
act as a launching pad for making the first
impressions with those in charge.

4. In PRINCE2 environment, according to Bentley
(2010) the Reasons statement or Rationale
is a narrative description of the justification
for the undertaking of the project in response
to business drivers.
It forms the first part of the business case
which provides the justification for the project
as an entity; though, in other methodologies
reasons for a project is not the same as
justification.

5. Rationale is generally defined as the justification
for undertaking an activity.
Brown (ncte.org, 1994) puts it most eloquently by
stating that the project rationale is the articulation
of reasons.
It needs to be jargon free, specific, thorough, and
readily understood

6. Monk (ezinearticles.com, 2012) argues
that for a project to come to a successful
fruition there has to be a justifiable
rationale for its launch, and it must hold
true throughout the project life cycle as
part of an on-going business case.
Otherwise the project will face uncertainty
and will lead to unreliable business
benefits

7. The project rationale should be approached as a strategic
plan within organisational context. It needs to address the
following issues:
1. Where are we now: Identify the organisational strategy;
the need for the project within organisational context
and its fit with other projects; and identification of the
main drivers.
2. Where do want to be: what are the project goals and
benefits it will offer when completed within its given
scope.
3. How do we get there: setting objectives; identify
milestones and deliverables as a measure of success;
and how to utilise experience and lessons learnt from
previous projects.

8. The project rationale must be evidence based:
• A clear and concise document underpinning the
importance of the project and state justifiable reasons
for its approval.
• Outline the identified problem within organisational
context.
• Analyse the main determinants such as market
requirements, identified risks, and resource
requirements.
• Evaluate possible solutions and recommendation of
preferred option.
• Draw on previous experience and lessons learnt from
previous projects for justification of assumptions.
• Clear statement of goals to be achieved and benefits to
gain.

9. The Project Rationale is the Reason statement
explaining the problem, identifying the need, and
offering justifiable solutions.
it can be said that the business case provides the
focus for the project which narrates the rationale
and the justification. Moreover, the rationale
describes the market opportunity, offers business
solutions and identifies the project context within
the organisational strategy.

10. utube video: the following presentation on utube explains how to write
an essay using a software package called Rationale. The presentation
provides valuable insight in composing a rationale.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDPahgPEg1Y
Other website with relevant information on composing a rationale:
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/dissertation.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8602110_develop-project-rationale.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8502878_project-rationale.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7553336_rationale-statement.html
http://EzineArticles.com/6940703
http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship/resources/115785.htm
http://www.projectmanagement.net.au/prince2
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/examples-project-rationale-31234.html
http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Involved/Action/Rationale_Howto
Write.pdf

11. Bentley, C, 2010, 2nd ed, PRINCE2 Revealed, Oxford,
Butterworth-Heinemann
Young, T, 2007, 2nd ed, Successful Project
Management, London, Kogan Page Ltd
Brown, J, 1994,
http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship/resources
/115785.htm
Monk, A, 2012,
http://ezinearticles.com/?Prince2-Principles-Part-
1&id=6940703