Final answer:
The establishment of project goals, specifications, and responsibilities usually occurs in the Initiation stage of the project life cycle. This phase includes defining the project broadly, identifying goals, and establishing requirements and constraints.
Step-by-step explanation:
The establishment of project goals, specifications, and responsibilities typically occurs in the Initiation stage of the project life cycle. During this initial phase, the project's value and feasibility are measured. Tasks include defining the project at a broad level, identifying potential project goals, and establishing general project requirements and constraints. After these are defined, stakeholders need to reach an agreement on the project objectives, which then guide the rest of the project life cycle, including planning, execution, and closure.
The Initiation stage is followed by the Planning phase, where detailed project plans, schedules, cost estimates, and risk management plans are established. It is essential to articulate clear criteria and constraints during the Initiation phase to ensure that the subsequent phases have definitive direction and structure. This is the period where the problem definition is clearly outlined, setting the foundation for successful project management.