Project Charter Deep Dive

The Project Charter

The project charter is a document that formally authorizes the existence of a project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities.

Key Exam Points

• The charter is issued by the project sponsor (not the PM)
• The PM may help write it, but the sponsor has the authority to issue it
• It is created during the Initiating process group
• It is a high-level document — not detailed planning
• Without a charter, the project does not officially exist

Charter Contents

• Project purpose and justification
• Measurable project objectives and success criteria
• High-level requirements and project description
• Overall project risk
• Summary milestone schedule
• Pre-approved financial resources
• Key stakeholder list
• Project approval requirements
• Assigned PM, responsibility, and authority level
• Name and authority of the sponsor

Related Study Resources

• Integration Management Cheat Sheet
• Process Domain Study Guide