How to Create a Project Charter: Step-by-Step

A good project charter provides the foundation needed for any project to succeed. No matter if you are dealing with a huge initiative or just a small task within the company, you must understand how to create a project charter: step-by-step method to make sure everyone stays aligned and can execute the project. 

Go through this guide to learn each phase of building a project charter elements, learn what it includes, and find real-world examples to help you start.

What Is a Project Charter?

A project charter is an official paper that both starts a project and sets out its aims, boundaries, relevant groups, and endpoint deliverables. It brings together the sponsor and the team, making sure all members share the same project vision at the beginning.

Why Creating a Project Charter Matters

Creating a project charter ensures:

• Everyone understands the project’s purpose
• The project has formal approval
• There are clear descriptions of the roles and who is responsible for them.
• The scope, timeline, and risks are explained and listed in the document.

We will now look at how to write a project charter. Step-by-step.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Project Charter

Step 1: Define the Project Purpose

Start by answering: What purpose does this project serve? In what way will it solve a problem or what value will it add?

This helps to set the reason for the project.

Step 2: Identify Key Stakeholders

Identify the major stakeholders; such as the project sponsor, project manager, and other members of the team. Stakeholder input is very crucial as far as setting goals and expectations is concerned.

Step 3: Outline Objectives and Success Criteria

Set clear, measurable objectives. Define what success looks like. These criteria will serve you in monitoring the performance of the project later on.

Step 4: Define Scope and Boundaries

What is going into the project and what isn’t? Be specific not to experience scope creep and confusion.

Step 5: List Major Deliverables

Record the major outputs or deliverables to be delivered through the project. E.g “Launch website,” “Deliver training,” or “Publish final report”.

Step 6: Identify Project Risks and Constraints

Specify known risks, limitations of resource, budget or dependencies that may impact timelines or results.

Step 7: Set the Project Timeline

Offer a 10,000-feet time or milestone plan that gives specific time frames or phases.

Step 8: Assign Roles and Responsibilities

Well label project manager, and have supporting team members and structure roles. This is to ensure there is accountability and easy horizontal collaboration.

Project Charter Elements to Include

Below is a breakdown of the key project charter elements of every document that should be there:

Element	Purpose
Project Title	Clearly states the project name
Project Purpose	Describes why the project exists
Objectives	Defines the expected outcomes
Scope and Boundaries	Outlines what’s included and excluded
Deliverables	Lists the key outputs
Timeline	Provides a milestone-based schedule
Stakeholders	Identifies key parties involved
Risks and Constraints	Addresses known challenges and limitations
Roles and Responsibilities	Defines who is doing what

Simple Project Charter Example

Here’s an example of a quick and simple project charter to show how all the pieces fit together:

Project Title: Website Redesign for ABC Corp

Project Purpose: Provide a better user experience and bring the website in line with the new brand guidelines.

Objectives:

• Launch new website within 8 weeks
• Bounce rate is reduced by 25% in the next 3 months.

Scope:

•  Rework of home page, service pages, and blog.
•  Excludes backend system upgrades.

Deliverables:

• Fully designed website
• User testing reports
• Final implementation

Timeline:

• Design phase: Weeks 1–3
• Development: Weeks 4–6
• Launch: Week 8

Stakeholders:

• Sponsor: Jane Doe
• Project Manager: John Smith
• Dev Team: Alice, Bob

Risks:

 Time lapses in providing content from marketing team.

Constraints:

 Lack of funds for the utilization of outside design resources.

Conclusion

Having the skill to make a charter of project​: following steps ensures your project remains clear, everyone has authority, and there is early alignment. If you follow any kind of detailed or simple project charter example, you’re likely to get the same result: a project that begins with more certainty and greater success.

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