According to the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge), specifically the section on The Planning Process Group, the nature of project planning is iterative and ongoing; however, it must have a defined boundary for the transition to execution.
* Ends (Option A): The PMBOK Guide states that while the Planning Process Group involves developing the project management plan and project documents used to carry out the project, the organizational procedures (specifically the project life cycle defined by the organization) dictate when the project planning ends. This is typically marked by a " Phase Gate, " " Kill Point, " or a formal " Management Review " where the plan is baselined and authorization is given to move into the Executing Process Group.
* Begins (Option B): Project planning begins after the project has been formally authorized in the Initiating Process Group (e.g., after the Project Charter is signed). While organizational procedures influence this, the primary driver for " beginning " is the output of the Initiating processes.
* Delays (Option C) and Deviates (Option D): These are conditions that occur during the Monitoring and Controlling Process Group. While organizational procedures might dictate how to handle a delay or a deviation (via Change Control), they do not " dictate " when these negative occurrences happen.
In the PMI framework, the concept of Progressive Elaboration means that planning is never truly " finished " until the project is over. However, for the purpose of governance and control, organizational procedures establish the formal cutoff point where the initial planning phase ends and the execution of the baselined plan starts.