The project charter or scope is a brief document formalizing the purpose and structure of a project. Its approval gives the project manager the authority to move ahead with the project. The project charter is similar to the project proposal, but it typically is more specific when it comes to expected project structure and deliverables. Your project charter should have most or all of the components listed below. Note that this is not the only way to organize a charter or scope each organization will have its own preferred format.

Expectations

• Identification of PM and sponsor(s), as well as program, product and/or senior project manager, if the project is actually a component of a larger coordinated effort.
• Identification of:
• • Goal(s) ideally a one sentence statement of the business purpose of the project; it should state the future condition that will be brought about via completion of the project.
  • Objectives the steps necessary to reach the goal; they should be measurable and quantifiable if at all possible; also referred to as general objectives.
  • Deliverables well-defined work packages used to meet the objectives; also referred to as specific objectives.
• Assumptions, both organizational and technical, that are expected to be in place before or at specific points during the progress. These are not under control of project personnel.
• Constraints on delivery of the project that are not under the control of project personnel.
• Risks and how they might be addressed (youll elaborate on this later in the course).
• Identification of project personnel and/or roles and what they will be responsible for.
• Identification of stakeholders.
• Description of how information will be communicated up and down the chain of command (youll also elaborate on this more later in the course).
• Estimated cost by category (staff, consultants/contractors, physical equipment or material, licenses, etc.).
• Preliminary schedule with start and end dates and major milestones (when key parts of the project are expected to be finished).