For their final [gamedev course] project, I ask my students to think about the following:

-What are my goals with the project?
-Which area do I want to pursue?
-What can I do?
-[Maybe more important,] what can't I do? (my constraints/must learn stuff)
-How many hours/week can I allocate to the project?
-How can I communicate with the team?
-How will I publish/make money with it?
-Did I check the project triangle? (fast, good or cheap, pick two)

I believe these questions help when starting a project.