Project Charter Template
A project charter is the foundational document that formally authorizes a project and provides project managers with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities. This comprehensive template helps you create a clear, professional charter that aligns stakeholders and sets your project up for success.
What This Template Is For
This project charter template serves as your project's constitution, establishing the scope, objectives, and participants in your initiative. It creates a shared understanding between project sponsors, stakeholders, and team members, defining roles, responsibilities, and success criteria. Use it to secure project approval and maintain focus throughout execution.
When To Use This Template
Create a project charter during the initiation phase, before detailed planning begins. Use it when:
- Starting a new project that requires formal authorization
- Seeking stakeholder alignment and resource commitment
- Defining project boundaries and success criteria
- Establishing project manager authority
- Creating a reference document for scope management
How To Customize It
Follow these steps to adapt the template to your project:
- Begin with the project overview section, clearly stating the purpose and business case
- Define specific, measurable objectives that align with organizational goals
- Identify key stakeholders and their roles/responsibilities
- Outline high-level scope, including both in-scope and out-of-scope items
- Document constraints, assumptions, and initial risks
- Include preliminary budget and timeline estimates
- Secure necessary approvals and signatures
Common Use Cases
This project charter template is valuable across various industries and project types:
- IT system implementations
- Construction projects
- Product development initiatives
- Business process improvement efforts
- Research and development programs
Best Practices
Follow these guidelines for an effective project charter:
- Keep content concise and focused
- Use clear, unambiguous language
- Include all key stakeholders in the development process
- Ensure objectives are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
- Review and update as needed during project initiation
Template Variations
Adapt the template based on project size and complexity:
- Simple charter for small projects
- Comprehensive charter for large initiatives
- Agile project charter variation
- Program-level charter for multiple related projects
Success Stories
Organizations have successfully used this template to:
- Launch a $5M enterprise software implementation
- Initiate a major facility renovation project
- Start a company-wide digital transformation initiative
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a project charter be?
A project charter typically ranges from 2-5 pages, focusing on essential information while referring to detailed documents for additional information.
Who should approve the project charter?
The project sponsor, key stakeholders, and relevant executives should review and approve the charter.
Can the project charter be updated?
While the charter should remain relatively stable, it can be updated through formal change control processes if significant project changes occur.
What's the difference between a project charter and a project plan?
The charter is a high-level authorization document, while the project plan provides detailed execution steps and schedules.
Is a project charter always necessary?
Yes, every formal project should have a charter to ensure proper authorization and clear direction, though the level of detail may vary by project size.