Not in place for commencement (6)
I believe the answer is:
outset
'for commencement' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'not in place' is the wordplay.
'not in' becomes 'out' ('out' is the opposite to 'in').
'place' becomes 'set' (synonyms).
'out'+'set'='OUTSET'
(Other definitions for outset that I've seen before include "Set out in the beginning" , "Opening stage" , "Starting point" , "Beginning, start" , "launch" .)