A vice president has asked a project manager to support a new urgent project and...

Before a project can be formally authorized, its value, benefits, and alignment with organizational goals must be clearly articulated. According to the PMBOK® Guide (Seventh Edition), a project is formally initiated when the project charter is authorized, typically by someone with appropriate authority, such as a sponsor or senior management.

The project manager should not begin execution or planning before the project is properly evaluated and approved. Therefore, investigating the value and benefits ensures that the project aligns with strategic objectives and can justify its initiation. This will support a better case when seeking formal approval from the CEO.

Option A is incorrect because the VP may not have the appropriate authority to authorize the project charter.

Option B is premature, as defining roles (like product owner) comes after the project is formally authorized.

Option D violates project governance best practices by starting work before approval and scope definition.