A lot of documentation is required to get a new project off its feet. This includes project requirements and scope documents, risk assessments, and project plans.
Project managers are used to going through all the paperwork. It can be difficult for stakeholders and your team to understand the details when they have limited time.
This is where a project charter is useful.
A project charter is a guideline for project delivery success so everyone can be up to speed quickly.
Let’s take a closer view at what a project chart is, why it’s so important, and how you can create one for your projects.
What is a project chart and why is it so important?
A project charter is a document that outlines your project’s goals and objectives, as well as its constraints, risks, benefits, stakeholder, and budget. It can also be called a project brief, project definition document, or project brief.
Project Management Institute (PMI), defines a project charter “a document issued either by the project initiator/sponsor that officially authorizes the existence and gives the authority to the project manager to use organizational resources for project activities.”
A project charter is designed to help you manage even the most complex projects and large teams to a timely and cost-effective delivery. A project charter can also be beneficial in aligning stakeholders and teams to project objectives and clarifying important details that could affect the project.
What is the difference between project charter and project plan?
It can seem overwhelming to have multiple documents related your project. Every key document is important for project success.
When should you use a plan or a project charter? You should use both to manage your project. Let’s first look at the differences between a project chart and a plan.
Your project charter is the document that explains what and why you are doing it. Your project plan outlines how, when and who.
The purpose of the project charter should be to describe your project in its entirety, but at a high level. This is not about milestones and tasks.
A project charter is a document that outlines the details of a project and its goals. It can be in Word, Excel or Google Docs format. To ensure everyone is on the same page about the goals and deliverables, the charter is delivered early in the project cycle.
A project plan is a line-by, action plan that guides a project from start to finish once all details are approved. It is usually a gantt diagram with milestones and deadlines laid out on a timeline to allow you to track progress.
The easiest way to create a project plan
In just 10 minutes, you can create a beautiful project plan. You can switch between gantt and calendar views with a single click.
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In just 10 minutes you can create a beautiful project plan and switch between gantt and calendar, board and list views with a single click.
How to create a project charter
Are you ready to create a project charter framework in your organization?
The first step in creating a project charter for your next venture is to have a discussion with your team and other stakeholders. This will allow you to gather all the information necessary to execute the project and set expectations about the time it will take.
Make sure you have covered the following details in your initial discussion:
Goals
Constraints (including budgets and deadlines)
There are risks
Stakeholders
Other details that will help you define your project
This level of understanding and insight from your team and staff is invaluable.