Project Integration & Chartering

The Project Charter

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

Key Characteristics

• Issued by: A project initiator or sponsor external to the project
• Purpose: Formally authorizes the project and grants authority to the PM
• Timing: Created during project initiation, before detailed planning begins

What the Charter Contains

• Project purpose and justification
• High-level requirements
• Summary budget
• Summary milestone schedule
• Assigned project manager and authority level
• Sponsor authorization