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Project Charter

Define the authorised project purpose, objectives, boundaries, governance and sponsor decisions.

How to use this template

This Word template contains prepared headings, tables, project fields and completion notes. Add your information, review the completed document and remove the notes before issue.

The form prepares a separate brief; it does not fill the Word or Excel file.

Read product descriptions in your language. The Word and Excel template files are in English.

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Only selected pages are shown. This is not the complete template. The full editable Word or Excel file is supplied with purchase.

Learning

How to use this template

When you need it

Prepare the project charter when a sponsor's mandate or investment decision is being translated into an organized project. Use it to establish the initial objectives, boundaries and governance before detailed planning expands commitments.

What it helps you decide

It gives the team a common reason for undertaking the work and a basis for judging success. The sponsor can resolve unclear objectives and authority before delivery activity creates conflicting expectations.

How to complete it

  1. Read the sponsor mandate and investment decision, then state the business need, project objectives and success measures with identifiable evidence sources rather than broad aspirations.
  2. Define inclusions, exclusions, constraints and governance, recording accountable roles and decisions needed alongside initial milestones, resource expectations and high-level risks appropriate to current maturity.
  3. Check that acceptance criteria and objectives align, resolve material boundary questions and obtain the required project authorization before using the charter to direct detailed planning.

Who prepares and reviews it

The project manager drafts with sponsor, business owner and key functional contributors. The sponsor or properly delegated authority confirms the mandate and boundaries; the actual organization determines what charter approval authorizes.

A mistake to avoid

Do not use broad objectives to conceal unresolved scope decisions; an apparently approved charter can still leave major cost and responsibility questions unanswered.

Illustrative example

Illustrative example: a company proposes a new maintenance workshop. The charter clarifies whether the project includes process equipment and external utility connections as well as the building. The sponsor resolves those boundaries, enabling the project manager to develop a coherent planning scope and success basis.

Explore the wider topic

Document contents

  • Mandate
  • Objectives
  • Boundaries
  • Governance
  • Milestones and schedule
  • Budget and resources
  • High-level risks
  • Success and acceptance criteria
  • Project records
  • Preparation, review and approval

Required inputs

  • Sponsor mandate and investment decision
  • Business need and success measures
  • Scope boundaries and initial constraints

Practical tools.
Professional judgment.

Confirm the adopted edition, local amendments, National Annex where relevant, and contract requirements.

Prepare project brief