PMP® Process of the day - Develop the Project Charter (4.1)

The project charter is a crucial element to your project. A properly created one saves time, energy and resources during the lifespan of your project.

Definition: The Project Charter is a formal document, usually written by the project sponsor or project initiator such as a buyer, that authorizes the project and gives the project manager authority to start. It is the first step in the initiating group that contains targets, wishes and constraints.

Where it is found:

·         Part of the Initiating Process Group

·         Free Standing process (not a parent or child)

·         In the Knowledge area: Project Integration Management

Inputs: The project sponsor collects information from current high-level research, previous projects, project manager input or PMO office to outline the restraints, success criteria and high level- milestones from documents that include some or all the following items:

·         Business Case

·         Agreements and/or Contract (if applicable)

·         Enterprise Environmental Factors

·         Organizational Process Assets

·         Project Statement of Work (S.O.W.)

Tools & Techniques:

·         Expert Judgement

·         Facilitation Techniques

Outputs: The process output is the completed Project Charter. The completed Project Charter articulates the high-level understanding and assumptions of the project outlining the following information:

·         Project Description

·         High level risks

·         Summary milestones

·         Summary budget

·         Approval requirements

·         Assigned Project Manager

·         Approval by Project Sponsor, Governing Committee or Project Management Office (PMO).