The Project Charter gives your project the official seal of approval to make a difference in the world. Not only are you are officially named as the Project Manager, the Project Charter formalizes the project’s initiation, defines its objectives and scope, identifies key stakeholders, and sets the stage for effective project management. It will be a reference point for the project team and stakeholders, ensuring a common understanding and commitment to project success. How can we succeed if we don’t know where we are going? How can we succeed if we don’t all agree to what success even looks like?
Up level your Project Charter game with advice from Tom Kendrick, PMP. In his book The Project Manager’s Toolkit, he shares that this charter should list the Project Objective and Priorities. Based on this section in the Project Charter you will create a 3×3 matrix, providing a visual representation of the project’s constraints and their relative importance. I talk about this in this post. You can also read more here (PMI’s learning library). And we have a free, PMI-aligned Project Charter Template, here.
If you are prepping for your PMP exam, PMI says that all projects must have a Project Charter, but they do say that a contract or SOW can serve as one. The charter aligns all stakeholders on the project’s purpose, scope, and high-level requirements. It aligns everyone on the relative priority of project constraints. The Project Charter ultimately serves as a foundational document, setting the stage for project success by establishing a shared understanding and commitment among all stakeholders. This paves the way for effective communication, stakeholder engagement, etc. and. of course, successful project execution.
Really? A MUST for all projects?
Yes. Again, PMI states that a SOW or contract can serve as the Project Charter, but they do say this doc is a MUST… no matter what approach you use.
Predictive (Waterfall) Approach:
In a predictive approach, the Project Charter provides a detailed foundation for the project. It includes the project purpose, objectives, and scope, along with high-level requirements, stakeholder identification, timeline, budget, and risks. This document sets the stage for a well-planned, sequential project.
Adaptive (Agile) Approach:
In an adaptive approach, the Project Charter is more flexible and focuses on the project’s vision and guiding principles. It outlines high-level objectives, broad scope, and key stakeholders. The charter allows for iterative development, with a focus on adaptability and ongoing stakeholder feedback.
Hybrid Approach:
A hybrid approach combines elements of both predictive and adaptive methodologies. The Project Charter includes clear objectives and scope, blending detailed planning with flexibility. It outlines key milestones, iterative cycles, and stakeholder roles, accommodating both fixed plans and adaptive processes.