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A Project Blueprint - The Project Charter

Written by: Jerry Hemmerling

Article Overview: Use this one-page tool to figure out how much work you have in front of you, intervene in problems earlier, and make fewer mistakes.

A Project Blueprint - The Project Charter

The Project Charter, also known as the Project Data Sheet, is recommended by many private, government, and educational institutions, and with good reason. A Project Charter is both a contract and a passport. The charter facilitates early communication and collaboration, assures stakeholder agreement and commitment, acts as the first point of scope control, and indicates that the project has management and resource support.

Most charters begin as a short template or example, prompting you to explain the work, risks, success criteria, and resources. The expected response varies tremendously. The Department of Defense example is 75 pages. However, a sample from Purdue University is three pages. Nike commonly uses two pages. And NASA introduces classroom instruction concepts with one page.

We recommend a one-page template. A one-page Project Charter has several advantages; it is concise, complete, and mobile. Key information stays together. Key information stays with summaries. And you see the same proposal at lunch, on a bulletin board, and in the boardroom.

Is a Project Charter good for you? Probably. Starting a project right turns the 80/20 rule to your advantage and is shown to have dividends far beyond the cost. Use one charter and your project is more successful and you improve overall communication, estimates, and risk recognition. Use charters regularly and the objectives and success criteria become personal, staff, and team goals. Use charters everywhere to align organizational objectives and resources.

It’s work completing a charter, but it’s the same work that’s done in a project. Only up front, during discovery, when the objectives and alternatives are fluid and commitment and cost are lowest. Asking now has the highest return; “Is everyone present? Does this fit the plan? Is this the best use of our resources?” You make better decisions, earlier intervention and fewer mistakes with charters.

Follow the 'Project Charter' link in the author's Bio or those below for examples and instructions. Find more with a search on ‘project charter’.

Purdue Project Charter Sample
www.adpc.purdue.edu/MI/Spchartr.htm
Purdue Project Charter Template
www.adpc.purdue.edu/MI/CHRTTMPL.htm

Oregon Project Charter Sample
www.oregon.gov/DHS/admin/pmo/publications/pmo_initiation_templates.shtml

NASA Project Data Sheet Sample
learn.arc.nasa.gov/pds/FY03/pds/Solar system explorer PDS.pdf

~o~

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Article Tags: boardroom, classroom instruction, department of defense, dividends, educational institutions, good reason, nasa, nike, organizational objectives, page template, passport, personal staff, private government, project charter, project data sheet, purdue university, resource support, scope control, success criteria, team goals



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