How to Create a Project Charter Document

Projects need focus and structure if they are to achieve success. Many people use a project charter to provide an overview and mission of a project. Once the charter is complete and circulated, it becomes easier to implement the project.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Begin the charter document by explaining the purpose of the project and how it affects the organization. A charter should document a project's usefulness to a company and its customers. The team that creates the project charter documents needs to agree to a statement of purpose.
2. List who is involved in the project. If it is a large group, you may wish to provide an organizational chart.
3. Define the context and scope of the project, specifying who or what the project will affect. Include the expectations and limitations to the project and people affected by it.
4. Identify measurable goals in a project charter document.
5. Assess the possible risks in the project. A project charter document may include contingency plans for potential problems.
6. Figure out what resources are needed for the project. Include a list of financial, material and staffing resources in your project charter.
7. Create a project charter document as a group project, ideally attended by the people working on the project plus those people directly affected by it. Before work on the project can commence, the project charter must be supported by the person in charge or a sponsor. The supervising person signs the project charter document to indicate approval.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at Project Charter templates to give you a jumpstart in creating the charter document.