Project Charters are foundational tools in the development
of any initiative. Does your
organization invest the time to develop them for key projects?
A project charter is a document that outlines the scope,
objectives, and stakeholders of a project. It is the foundation for the project
and sets the direction for the team to follow. Here is an outline of the
process for establishing a project charter:
·
Identify the project: Define the project and the
problem it seeks to solve. Identify the key stakeholders and determine their
needs and expectations.
·
Define the scope: Determine the boundaries of
the project, what will be included and what will be excluded, and the project’s
deliverables.
·
Determine the project objectives: Establish
specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives
for the project.
·
Develop the project team: Define the roles and
responsibilities of the project team members, including the project manager and
any other key stakeholders.
·
Establish the project timeline: Develop a
high-level timeline for the project that outlines the major milestones and
deadlines.
·
Identify the risks: Determine the potential
risks that may affect the project and develop a plan to mitigate them.
·
Define the project budget: Develop a high-level
budget for the project that includes all necessary resources and estimates.
·
Obtain approval: Once the project charter is
complete, it should be reviewed and approved by all key stakeholders, including
the project sponsor, before the project can begin.
Overall, the process for establishing a project charter
should be collaborative and involve input from all relevant stakeholders to
ensure a shared understanding and buy-in to the project’s objectives and
deliverables.