Project Charter Example for Every Project Manager

Adapted by:  • Edited by: Rebecca Scudder
Updated Jul 4, 2011
• Related Guides: Project Charter | Project Scope | Gantt Chart

What should be included in your project charter contents? Along with outlining a list of sections that should be a part of almost every project charter, this guide gives a brief description of these sections and explains the importance of each component.

Components of a Basic Project Charter

Creating a Project Charter
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A project charter is one of many project management forms used in the initiation and planning stages of project management—and one of the most crucial documents. Proper construction of a project charter can help ensure the success of any project and, likewise, taking shortcuts in the preparation of this all-important document can subject your project to numerous pitfalls and unnecessary hold-ups. So, what should you be sure to include in this form?

Every project charter should consist of at least three primary components:

  • Project Overview Section
  • Project Approach Section
  • Project Approval Section

Depending on the nature of your project and the project management methodology being used, additional sections may be required, but we'll restrict ourselves to examining these three components in this overview. The following guidelines will take a closer look at the items that should be detailed in each of these sections and give a brief explanation of why that information is needed. In the References section at the end of this guide, there's also a link to a project charter example that you can download and modify.

Project Overview Section

1. Identification (Project Formal Name): Give the formal name of the project as well as any other terms that might be used to identify the project and the primary groups that will be involved with it. With this consistent terminology, it will be easier for all parties involved—such as the project team, stakeholders, and end users—to discuss and work on the project.

Note: If this project is a new incarnation of a previously cancelled or abandoned project, it's a good idea to reference the name of that old project as well.

2. Project Background and History: Give any background information that will help explain how the project came to be.

3. Project Purpose and/or Business Need: Explain why the project is needed. If applicable, include details of why existing tools or products are inadequate. If you have supporting documents for any of these reasons, you can list them here and include them as appendices to the charter.

4. Project Scope and Limitations: Define the project scope, being careful to note boundaries and limitations. The project scope should be clearly detailed so that all parties involved are very aware of exactly what the project includes as well as what it doesn't.

5. Project Goals and Objectives: Using appropriate business terminology, state all objectives for the project. Be sure to include the project's intended purpose in language that is both concise and explanatory.

6. Project Sponsorship and Major Stakeholders: Provide a list of names identifying the major parties involved in the project, such as project sponsors, stakeholders, and eventual project owners. In addition, be sure to identify the role of each individual listed so that there is no confusion concerning responsibilities later down the line. These names should also be included in the Project Approval section—see the next page of this guide for more details on that section of the project charter.

7. Pertinent Documents and References: List any related documents or other resources that could be helpful in understanding various aspects of the project, such as the scope and business need. If these documents are particularly crucial, they can also be included as appendices to the charter.

8. Overview of Project Terminology: Provide a basic, but complete, glossary that defines special terms related to the project. If there are any key terms, phrases, or acronyms that might prove to be confusing or new to anyone related to the project, be sure to include them in this section.

Continue on to the next page for information on what should be included in the remaining sections and for a link to a project charter example you can download.

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Comments

Showing all 17 comments
 
Denis Sep 13, 2011 1:40 AM
Project Charter Vs Buisiness Charter
I was looking for a project charter that is mapped to the business benefits of the client, so that it can help map into an account better.
Francis Sep 11, 2011 12:55 PM
project charter
I have just started a project mgt module and reading your article, i cant just imagined how interesting it will be.project charter is better understood after reading your article. it has been really really helpful. thank you and keep this good work up.
Guru Pokhrel Feb 2, 2011 10:50 PM
Project Charter Example for Every Project Manager
Your article had been as helpful to me as it seems to have been for the other 4 who commented. I am still completely lost and getting frustrated more and more as my fruitless search for enlightnenment continues. my project charter completed and submitted for grading in 3 days, but can't figure out how to take the problem statement and convert it into a charter, business case, scope statement, etc... The only easy part to figure out was the timeline for project completion.
guru pokhrel Jan 30, 2011 10:42 PM
RE: Project Charter Example for Every Project Manager
Interesting material. I think project charter is supposed to be an authorization document that allows the PM/performing organization to commit resource to the project and I think this should be issued by the client. i like this materials.
Rohan T Dec 23, 2010 3:37 AM
Learning from you - on the other side of the world
Thank you. Your site is very useful.
Using the very simple approach to start a new financial services project.
Patrick Hlabela Nov 2, 2010 9:21 AM
This is great stuff
This has been very helpful for my exams. I found it very informative and straight forward. Well-done and keep up the good work.
Ahmed Oct 22, 2010 7:11 AM
Thanks for your excellent information
Really you paid a lot of work for giving the project management interesters full details abouit project charter contents and this will be very helpful for many people like me. thanks again and again
SHREEJITH NAIR Oct 13, 2010 3:06 PM
Impressive
THis is really good and very detailed. Thanks a lot!!!
Mohamed Apr 13, 2010 8:41 AM
Thanks very much
Thanks for your efforts to pointout out Project Proposal contents but i have a question, since Projects have different types such Business, socila services and etc. is this Guideline approriate to follow in the preparetion of Social Projects, ? for Example, "Establishing of Sports infrastructure faicilities in X District ".
Emmanuel Dec 14, 2009 7:12 AM
Project Charter - Whose responsibility
Very interesting material. I think project charter is supposed to be an authorization document that allows the PM/performing organization to commit resource to the project and I think this should be issued by the client. Considering the details involved, this is most time prepared by the performing organization for the client to sign off, is it supposed to be so? I will appreciate your respose.

Regards,
Emmanuel
nix Oct 6, 2009 6:59 AM
Project Charger and the IPECC lifecycle
Great article. I would just like to point out the Project Charter should be done in the Initiation phase rather than planning. This is so that the sponsor accepts its contents and a PM is appointed. After that you'd usually start your planning. Thanks again
Ashes Aug 20, 2009 6:46 AM
This helped
Hey.. Thanks for this...very useful information for a fresher whos just got into project management.
Vincent Aug 14, 2009 5:26 PM
RE: Project Charter Example for Every Project Manager
I only wish your article had been as helpful to me as it seems to have been for the other 4 who commented. I am still completely lost and getting frustrated more and more as my fruitless search for enlightnenment continues. I have to have my project charter completed and submitted for grading in 3 days, but can't figure out how to take the problem statement and convert it into a charter, business case, scope statement, etc... The only easy part to figure out was the timeline for project completion.
kgaogelo Aug 6, 2009 10:17 AM
thanx very much
I am doing my 3rd year information system. they gave me assignment to write about project chart, I was lost and blind but now I can see. m saying thanks very much!!!
Curtis Christensen Jul 23, 2009 8:34 PM
Awesome! Nice Start
I just landed a Web/SEO management position that requires heavy PM work. Your site contained all that I really needed to get started.

Thanks!

CBC
nadiak Jul 4, 2009 8:17 PM
thank u
thk u for this. it helped me a lot in my pm assignment,

regards
nadia

my site: brilliantfoto.blogspot
robby Jun 19, 2009 9:39 AM
finaly i see a bit of light
i just landed myself an internship,m doin my second yr in IT.i ws immediatly given a project to work on and told to start with a project charter (NEVER HEARD OF IT) bt your site has helped shed soe light.do gv a few mo tips on wat format i should follow
 
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