Project Charter

Guide to the Project Charter as per the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition

The Project Charter is an essential document that formally authorizes a project, giving the project manager the authority to proceed and use organizational resources.

The Importance:

It is crucial because it documents the business needs and the customer's requirements. It aligns the project with strategic goals of the organization, defines the project boundaries, and provides a direct link between the project and the strategic objectives.

What it is:

The Project Charter is a document that outlines your project’s objectives, scope, deliverables, milestones, team members, and other vital project information. It includes the project’s purpose, measurable project objectives, high-level requirements, project description, project boundaries, key deliverables, project timeline, project budget, stakeholders, and assigned project manager.

How it works:

The Project Charter gives a clear direction for the project, and through the signature of the sponsor, the project manager is given the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Project Charter

Here are some essential tips to answer project charter related questions in the exam: Understand that the Project Charter authorizes the project and is issued by a manager external to the project. Know that the project manager is formally assigned through the project charter. Be aware of the information included in the project charter. Understand that if a project manager detects a discrepancy or missing detail in the project charter, he/she should ask for a revision or clarification.