Without a signed charter, you do not have a projectA unique, temporary endeavor with a defined goal that is important, urgent or complex enough to need its own organization outside the normal line organization. Click term for full definition, only a good idea. The Project CharterThe official document that authorizes a project. It defines the problem, goal, scope, team and milestones, and is approved by the sponsor. Click term for full definition brings together everything you defined and turns it into an agreement with your sponsor. Watch the short video, then work with the toolkit PDF: it explains the method, shows a worked example and gives you a blank template to fill in.
Tool video
The short tool video will appear here.
Project Charter in short
- Collect your Define results. Problem statement, COPQ, SMARTA standard for writing project goals. A SMART goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound, so everyone knows exactly what success looks like and by when. Click term for full definition goal, scope, stakeholders and milestones.
- Fill in the template. Use the SKILLAGILITY template or your organization’s standard.
- Keep it short. One or two pages are enough; link to details instead of copying them.
- Review it with your sponsor. Discuss open points before asking for the signature.
- Get it signed. The signature officially launches your project.
Key points
- The charter is the contract between your team and leadership.
- Business case, goal, scope, team and milestones.
- Short, focused and signed by the sponsor.
- Update it when the agreement changes.