The decision on execution release continues the project with the next phase and starts the solution development. It creates the prerequisite for the work in the concept phase under a traditional approach and in the execution phase under an agile approach.

On the basis of the drawn up execution order, the project sponsor checks whether the project serves the objectives of the organization and whether the necessary resources can be released.

With the execution release, solution development begins and the adapted project organization is put into effect. The resources required for the next phase are released.

The execution release takes place at the end of the initiation phase. The decision is made by the project sponsor in consultation with the core organization, possibly within the framework of an existing portfolio. Before the execution release, the execution order and the project management plan are compared with the higher-level requirements of the core organization.

The project management plan and the adapted project organization are decided and put into effect. In the agile approach, the development team is formally established in the project organization.

The solution development is initiated with the execution release; this starts with the concept phase in the traditional approach and with the execution phase in the agile approach .

A decision is made whether

1. the initiation phase is concluded or whether further outcomes are to be developed

and, provided that the initiation phase can be concluded, whether the project continuation

1. is released,
2. is not currently released and is to be requested again at a later date, or
3. is not released and the project is terminated (does not constitute an actual project discontinuation, see Decide on project discontinuation).

1. Project management plan
2. Execution order

1. Add further criteria to execution release checklist.
2. Project sponsor checks the execution order against the execution release checklist.
3. Ensure resources (human, financial, infrastructure) for the entire project duration.
4. Release resources for the next phase.
5. Deliver the execution order to the decision makers.
6. Project organization is communicated to core organization and stakeholders.
7. Coordinate the decision in the core organization.
8. Make formal decision on execution release.
9. If the decision is positive:
10. 1. Sign execution order;
    2. Release resources for solution development (concept or execution phase);
    3. Inform stakeholders about the decision.

1. Execution release checklist
2. Execution order
3. Execution release milestone
4. List of steering project decisions