QUESTION: I just started as a new PM on my project and a Project Charter does not exist. Do I need a Project Charter? What elements are in a Project Charter?- John Roberts, Project Manager Answer: Yes! A Project Charter is a critical document for any project. The following are INPUTS to creating a Project Charter: - Project Statement of Work: A brief narrative description of the product or service expected to be delivered by the project. In this section you should also have the following elements, Business Need, Product Scope Description, Strategic Plan.
- Business Need - Why is your company doing this project?
- Product Scope Description - What is the relationship between the product or service to the business need?
- Strategic Plan - What is the strategic plan of the organization and how does this project fit with that plan?
- Business Case: This section should address the business need and cost-benefit analysis. Check to see if an IBP (Initial Business Plan) was created during the feasibility phase of the project.
- Contract: This is an input if the project if for an external customer.
- Enterprise Environmental Factors: These include, but are not limited to, governmental or industry standards, organization infrastructure, and marketplace conditions.
- Organizational Process Assets: What are the SOPs within your organizations. Check to see if another project has a charter or if the PMO has a template that should be used. Consider the historical information and most importantly, use any available lessons learned from past projects.
The following is the TOOLS and TECHNIQUES: - Expert Judgment: Discuss with your colleagues, stakeholders, sponsors, SMEs and PMO on the best way to accomplish the creation of a Project Charter.
The following should be your OUTPUTS:
- The Project Charter: This document will now contain...
- The Project Purpose
- Measurable Project Objectives and Success Criteria
- High-level Requirements
- High-level Project Description
- High-level Risks
- Summary Milestone Schedule or "Road Map"
- Summary Budget
What To Do If You DO NOT Have A Project Charter?If you as a project manager do not have a written project charter you should write one. Then submit it to your sponsor or champion, and the other key stakeholders, for review, revision, and written approval. It is critical that all project charters be in writing and signed by the appropriate stakeholders and sponsors. About Bob,
Bob is a Director at Armaria. He is also a faculty member for Project Management University producing online, collaborative courses in Project Management for the Life Sciences industry. Based in Pennsylvania, he has over 10 years experience in project management, including five years as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. He has led multi-million dollar projects in the Telecommunications, IT, Health Care, Medical Education, Software Training, Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical industries. At ProjectManagementUniversity.NET, he teaches the Integration Project Management track of courses which include the following: - E100 - Project Integration Management
- A110 - Develop Project Charter
- A120 - Develop Project Management Plan
- A130 - Direct and Manage Project Execution
- A140 - Monitor, Control Project Work and Perform Integrated Change Control
- A160 - Close Project or Phase
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