The Project Charter template defines a project’s vision, scope, objectives, and overall direction.
The Project Charter serves as the foundational document for a project, defining its vision, scope, objectives, and overall direction. It grants the project manager the authority to use organisational resources and acts as a contract between the sponsor and the project team.
The Project Charter is part of my wider Project Management Toolkit and project advice and guidance, which can be accessed here. Or just download the template below.
Key Components
Leadership & Roles
- Sponsor: Provides sponsorship and high-level oversight.
- Project Manager: Leads the project and has authority over organisational resources.
Objectives & Justification
- Purpose & Justification: Explains why the project is initiated, including problems or opportunities it aims to address.
- Objectives: Listed as OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to provide measurable success criteria.
Scope & Constraints
- In Scope: Specifies what the project includes.
- Out of Scope: Outlines what is not part of the project.
- Constraints: Lists known limitations like time, budget, or resources.
Assumptions & Risks
- Assumptions: Outlines planning and execution premises.
- Key Risks: Describes the likelihood and mitigation strategies for potential risks.
Budget
- Project Budget: Details the cost structures for various phases and types of expenses.
Stakeholders
- Stakeholder List: Specifies the roles and interests of key stakeholders involved in the project.
Project Timeline
- Project Phases: Describes key activities and timelines across different phases like Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Control, and Closure.
Approvals
- Outlines the method for obtaining approvals from critical stakeholders such as the project sponsor.
How to Use
The Project Charter template is a guiding document for decision-making throughout the project life cycle.
It should be referenced by all stakeholders to ensure a shared understanding of the project’s purpose, scope, and success criteria.
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Take the Shortcut: The Full Project Management Toolkit
What you get
- 47 ready-to-use templates and 6 phase guides covering the full lifecycle – from idea evaluation to closure.
- Templates to plan and run delivery: project plans, progress reports, RAID and risk logs, resource and budget trackers, work packages, change control, meeting minutes and more.
- A lightweight, easy to follow, and robust framework.
“Toolkit goes beyond what I expected and includes process guidance.” – Verified review
