Best Practices for Charter Development

The quickest way to create project charters: [after creating 25+ charters in the last 3 years] I view the project initiation as a compass, not just a formality. Then, I begin with the end in mind. This method: -Aligns stakeholders -Sets clear objectives -Maps out project boundaries -Identifies potential risks -Establishes authority and accountability Here's each step of my charter creation: 1. Objective Define the core purpose: -Why is this project essential? -What business problem does it address? -Articulate the expected outcome: -Desired end state after project completion -Key performance indicators to measure 2. Scope Detail out project boundaries: -Inclusions: What's part of the project? -Exclusions: What's out of scope? Establish the deliverables: -Tangible outputs -Milestones to reach -Stakeholders Identify key players: -Who will benefit from this project? -Who has influence over its outcome? 3. Outline roles and responsibilities: -Who’s doing what? -Who holds which authority? 4. Risks & Assumptions Highlight potential pitfalls: -What might derail the project? -Assumptions made and their validation Plan for contingencies: -Risk mitigation strategies -Backup plans 5. Resources Allocate essentials: -Budgetary constraints -Required tools and technology -Team members and their skillsets 6. Timeline Breakdown of project lifecycle: -Start and end dates -Major phase completion dates -Dependencies between tasks 7. Communication Define the communication plan: -Who gets updated and when? -Preferred communication channels 8. Approval Establish authority: -Who signs off on project decisions? -Acceptance criteria for deliverables Outline the revision process: -Feedback loop -Change request protocol 9. Documentation & Archiving Detail out the documentation process: -Where are project files stored? -How to access historical data Establish a post-project review plan: -Lessons learned -Feedback collection -Continuous improvement Follow this charter framework to kick-start your projects with clarity and purpose. What are your project charter best practices?  Leave a reply in the comment section.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 A Project Charter is a formal document issued by a sponsor to authorize a project's start and grant the project manager authority to use organizational resources. It outlines high-level project information and ensures alignment and accountability from day one. 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 -Authorization & Control -Empowers the project manager -Defines scope, schedule & budget -Acts as a change control baseline -Communication & Agreement -Aligns all stakeholders -Prevents scope creep -Documents objectives, assumptions & risks -Strategic Relevance -Links project to business goals -Supports long-term organizational improvement -Insight: The charter should be kept visible and current to remain effective. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Though the project sponsor issues the charter, the project manager often helps develop it, gathering input from stakeholders & aligning it with strategic goals. In public projects, tools like risk assessments may guide its development. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 Every project needs a charter to: -Establish direction and authority -Define roles and responsibilities -Prevent miscommunication & risk escalation Example: Outdated charter timelines in a project caused contractor delays and claims due to misaligned expectations. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 A. Overview Project name, author, sponsor, manager, date B. Purpose & Background Business case and strategic need C. Goals & Objectives Broad goals and measurable targets D. Scope Inclusions, exclusions, and deliverables E. Deliverables Major outputs like structures, manuals, plans F. Timeline Key milestones and start/end dates G. Budget Summary of expected costs with estimation types H. Constraints Real limitations (e.g., regulatory, financial) I. Assumptions Factors accepted as true during planning J. Risks Potential events that could impact success K. Success Factors Critical elements that must be met (e.g., timely decisions) L. Organization & Resources Team structure and required resources M. Communication Plan Reporting, stakeholder updates, and escalation N. Contingency & Management Reserves Budget buffers for known/unknown risks O. Optional Items Quality metrics, stakeholder list, reporting plan 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭𝐲 Use tools like the Project Complexity & Risk Assessment Tool for government or large-scale projects. While charter depth may vary, its core elements stay consistent across all project types. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 The Project Charter is critical for: -Authorizing project execution -Aligning stakeholders & expectations -Managing change and complexity -Supporting strategic, operational, and financial success A well-maintained charter lays the foundation for project discipline, control, and delivery of value. #Management #Project #Charter.

❓ Does your client understand the importance of a PMO Charter? And why this is a key to realizing the expected benefits to the organization? 📊 The PMO charter outlines the purpose, goals, and responsibilities of the PMO and provides a roadmap for how the PMO should operate, what it should concentrate on, and how it interacts with the rest of the organisation and stakeholders. Without it, a PMO will have difficulty delivering value to the organisation and may not achieve its strategic objectives. 🎯 There are 10 essential elements to consider for a successful PMO charter:   1️⃣ Define the PMO's purpose and how it corresponds with the organization's objectives. 2️⃣ Define the specific goals of the PMO and how it will contribute to the success of the organisation. 3️⃣ Define the scope of the PMO's responsibilities, the initiatives it will manage, and the departments with which it will interact. 4️⃣ Outline the PMO's governance structure, including decision-making processes, escalation protocols, and reporting mechanisms. 5️⃣ Define the roles and responsibilities of the PMO team as well as those of all other stakeholders. 6️⃣ Establish project management processes and procedures, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. 7️⃣ Define the tools and technologies that will be utilised by the PMO to manage projects and provide visibility into project progress. 8️⃣ Establish performance metrics in order to evaluate the success of the PMO and the initiatives it manages. 9️⃣ Identify training and development opportunities for the PMO team to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to execute their roles successfully. 1️⃣ 0️⃣ Outline a process for continuous development, including periodic reviews of the PMO's performance and improvement opportunities.   🔝 The significance of a PMO charter cannot be overstated, and the repercussions of not having one or having a subpar one are significant. Without a clear comprehension of the PMO's purpose, objectives, and responsibilities, it may struggle to deliver value to the organisation, leading to wasted resources and a lack of impact on the strategic objectives of the organisation.   ✅ A well-crafted PMO charter is essential for the success of a PMO because it provides the PMO with clarity, alignment, standardisation, and accountability, ensuring that it delivers value to the organisation.

Family constitutions or charters help enterprising families stay aligned on their mission, vision, and values, yet only 30% of family businesses have one in place, according to a PwC study. This is a missed opportunity—not only to create governance clarity but also to involve the Rising Gen in a process that strengthens alignment across generations. My Wingspan Legacy Partners colleague Vicki Morton explores this in her latest Wingspan Insight, "Family Constitutions: A Rising Gen Opportunity." She highlights why family constitutions matter and how families can use them as a tool to engage and prepare future leaders. For families without a constitution—or those due for an update—giving the Rising Gen an active role presents a meaningful opportunity to: ✅ Learn more about the family’s history and values ✅ Ensure their voices are heard in shaping governance and decision-making ✅ Align the constitution with the family’s future needs ✅ Develop leadership skills through strategic planning, compromise, and conflict resolution ✅ Foster long-term commitment by creating buy-in across generations A family constitution doesn’t have to be a 100-page formal document—it can take many forms, from a simple set of guiding principles to a more structured governance framework. What matters most is the process of creating it and the intention behind it, as both foster alignment and continuity. Vicki’s article also outlines best practices for drafting and maintaining a constitution, ensuring it remains a useful tool for the family over time. If your family hasn’t yet created a constitution, this is a great opportunity to start the conversation. Read "Family Constitutions: A Rising Gen Opportunity" here: https://lnkd.in/e3s7s7y8 #FamilyEnterprise #FamilyBusiness #FamilyConstitution #FamilyValues #RisingGen #NextGen #NextGenLeadership #FutureLeaders

Comprehensive Guide to Project Charters: Definition, Importance, and Development Steps What is a Project Charter? A project charter is a formal, typically short document that describes your project in its entirety — including what the objectives are, how it will be carried out, and who the stakeholders are. It is a critical piece of documentation that signifies the start of a project and grants the project manager the authority to use organizational resources for project activities. The project charter outlines the project's scope, objectives, and participants. It serves as a reference of authority for the future of the project. It typically includes: Project Purpose or Justification: Why is the project being undertaken? Measurable Project Objectives and Related Success Criteria: What will the project achieve, and how will success be measured? High-Level Requirements: What are the key requirements the project must meet? Assumptions and Constraints: What assumptions are being made? What limitations must be considered? High-Level Project Description and Boundaries: What is the project’s scope? High-Level Risks: What are the potential risks and how will they be managed? Summary Milestone Schedule: What are the major milestones? Summary Budget: What is the high-level budget estimate? Stakeholder List: Who are the primary stakeholders? Project Approval Requirements: What conditions must be met for project approval? Assigned Project Manager, Responsibility, and Authority Level: Who is leading the project and what authority do they have? Importance of a Project Charter 1. Authorization and Sponsorship: - The project charter formally authorizes the existence of a project, granting the project manager the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities. It is endorsed by a project sponsor, ensuring top management support. 2. Clear Objectives and Scope: - It clearly defines the project's objectives and scope, ensuring all stakeholders have a mutual understanding of what the project will deliver. This clarity helps in managing expectations and provides a clear focus for the team. 3. Alignment with Organizational Goals: - By outlining the purpose and justification, the project charter ensures that the project aligns with the broader strategic goals of the organization. 4. Foundation for Planning: - It serves as a foundational document for detailed project planning. The high-level requirements, assumptions, constraints, and milestones outlined in the charter are further elaborated during the planning phase. 5. Risk Management: - High-level risks identified in the project charter alert the project team to potential issues early on, allowing for proactive management and mitigation strategies to be developed. 6. Stakeholder Engagement: - Listing the primary stakeholders ensures that key players are identified from the outset, facilitating better communication and engagement throughout the project lifecycle. Continue the article in comment