How to create a Project Charter?

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

A project charter is a formal document that establishes the project manager's authority and formalizes the project. Project charters serve as a kind of contract that ensures everyone fulfils their obligations. This article focuses on discussing how to create a project charter.

Table of Content

What is a Project Charter?

A project's goals and scope, along with the participants, are outlined in a project management charter. It might also be referred to as a project statement or project definition report. This document should be used by project managers to:

Give the project your approval.
act as a benchmark for the duration of the project and offer a common understanding.
function as a contract that holds each member responsible for fulfilling their respective roles.

The definitive source of project-related information is your charter. Usually kept brief, it may contain links to longer, more in-depth documents.

If you are employed in project management or operations, you put in a lot of effort to find the most effective ways to complete tasks while maintaining quality. However, you must first obtain support from stakeholders and win everyone over to your vision before you can implement a new process or significantly alter an existing one. A project charter is required.

How is a Project Charter Written?

Follow the steps to create the project charter:

Decide on a project name.
Determine the project's aim, goal, and specifications.
Establish a spending plan.
Present a Business Case.
Describe the deliverables.
Evaluate the risks and scope.
Establish a timeline or goals.
Enumerate the important parties.
Note Key Assumptions & Constraints
Assign roles and duties to the team.

Purpose of Project Charter

This is a document that you have with you for the duration of the undertaking. Throughout, you'll resort to it for assistance with scope management or in meetings. Without all the details to divert your attention from other project materials, the charter serves as a roadmap.
To get your project approved, you must have it. This is the pitch document that explains to your stakeholders the project's benefits and provides a general estimate of their return on investment. It must sell the project, much like an elevator pitch.
It functions as the main sales document. After you show this to the stakeholders, they will have a summary to give out or show when someone approaches them about additional initiatives, allowing them to concentrate their efforts where they are most needed.

When Is a Project Charter Useful?

When a project is first being planned, it is best to use a project charter. It forms the foundation for all ensuing planning and execution tasks and is typically the first official document produced when a project is started.

Prior to devoting significant project resources or doing in-depth planning, the project charter should be established. This is so that everyone is aware of the project's aims, objectives, and scope thanks to the project charter. It is also useful in determining potential risks and any related risk-management techniques.

The project charter must be followed, regardless of the project's size or complexity. It is particularly beneficial for large or complex projects with several stakeholders.

It is best to use a project charter:

When a project is first starting, in the planning stage.
Prior to the completion of any thorough planning and prior to the commitment of major project resources.
Make sure that the aims, objectives, and scope of the project are understood by all parties involved.
To list possible hazards related to the project and provide management plans for them.
For any kind of project, irrespective of its scale or complexity.

A Project Charter Can Help Whom?

It is significant to remember that a project charter can be used by any person or group in charge of starting or overseeing a project. This consists of, but is not restricted to,

The task of supervising a project's planning and implementation falls to project managers.
Senior managers or executives who supply the required funds and resources are known as project sponsors.
members of the project team who are in charge of carrying out the tasks and producing the results.
Customers, suppliers, regulators, and other interested parties are examples of additional stakeholders. They can comprehend the project's aims, objectives, and scope by using the project charter.

Advantages of Using a Project Charter

A project charter can help everyone plan, direct, or carry out a project to guarantee its success. Consequently, creating a project charter has many benefits. The benefits are listed in further depth below.

Project Clarity: Gives a clear knowledge of the aims and purposes of the project.
Strategic Alignment: Ensures that the project's results are in line with the organization's overarching strategy by coordinating it with its strategic goals.
Communication Hub: By acting as a communication tool to make sure everyone is aware of the project's details and is on the same page, you can improve communication.
Decision Framework: Ensures that decisions align with the project's goals, objectives, and scope by providing a framework for decision-making throughout the project's lifecycle.
Project Success: Raises the possibility that the initiative will succeed. It guarantees the project is finished effectively, on schedule, and on budget.
Risk Management: By identifying possible hazards and pertinent mitigation techniques, it aids in the management of project risks.
Stakeholder Guidance: Outlines the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder, assisting in making sure that everyone is aware of what is expected of them.

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