What is the First Step in a Project?

The first step is IDEA, the goal you want to achieve, vision you have or customer has in mind, after come research, analyze, planning, complete study making...

both are not the first thing to do in a project

The first, and most important, step in any project is defining the scope of the project.
What is it you are supposed to accomplish by managing this project? What is the project objective? Equally important is defining what is not included in the scope of your project.
If you don't get enough definition from your boss, clarify the scope yourself and send it back for confirmation.

The first step in project management is to look into the scope, budget and schedule to ensure proper planning

NO DOUBT (PLANNING), The projects needs a several things like: Planning, Reason for the project, Goals, Strategy, Various Studies like location and environment ..etc, Why I would do this particular idea, Financial Reserves in case of loss and SO MANY things but basically (the planning would be the first thing in most of our life steps).
Regards,

The Scope of the Project

اول خطوه اللقاء مع اصحاب المصلحه والاختصاص بهذا المشروع ليتسنى لنا وضع الخطه القابله للتطبيق لنجاح المشروع

Dear Sir... What is the First Step in a Project?

The Feasibility study for any decision (the place - Size of mach. - Capacity - the type of industry ..... etc.)

Engee.TAHSEN- IRAQ

Project Charter

The first question is NEED

It depends on the nature of a project. However, in general first of all we have to determine our aim. Once we get our aim determined then it becomes easy to plan the project by answering the questions raised in our mind about this project.