The terms of reference are created during the earlier stages of
project management by the founders of the project in question, immediately after the approval of a project
business case. They are documented by the
project manager and presented to the project sponsor or sponsors for approval. Once the terms have been approved, the members of the project team have a clear definition of the scope of the project. They will then be ready to progress with implementing the remaining project
deliverables. This phrase "terms of reference" often refers to tasks assigned to a consultant or adviser. Such a consultant or adviser may be engaged via a contract with general terms of engagement that also incorporate the terms of reference that specifically describe the consultant's task. ==See also==