Public Health Collaborative Planning Initiative: Project Charter
Project Charter
[Jurisdiction names]
Project Title: Title
Project Manager: Name
Project Sponsor: Name
1.0 / Preliminary Charter
2.0 / Approved Charter
About the Project
A. Goal and Objectives, Aim Statement
Describe the project’s vision in a short paragraph and list the project objectives—what this project will accomplish. This section is your project’s “elevator speech.”
B. Background
Outline the history and/or events leading up to the identification and assignment of the project.
C. Rationale, Business Case
Explain why the project is important now. Consider the need or opportunity the project will address, the consequences of it not being addressed, and the benefits anticipated from this project.
Methods and Scope
A. Project Methods, Approach
Describe how the project will be carried out in terms of activities, phases, and/or team structure.
B. Work In/Out of Scope
List what falls within the boundaries of the project, and what falls outside the boundaries of the project.
C. Deliverables
List specific, tangible deliverables to be produced during the course of the project.
D. Stakeholders
Focus on those who will play a large role or have significant influence in the project.
Stakeholder / Role / Responsibilities / Interest in Project /E. Customers
Focus on customers who will be most impacted by the project.
Customer / Customer Needs, Requirements /F. Constraints, Dependencies
List potential limitations or constraints, such as funding, staffing, timeframes.
This project may encounter the following limitations or constraints:
■
This project depends on the following projects/events:
■
This project needs to coordinate closely with the following projects/events:
■
G. Assumptions
List any factors/conditions that were considered to be true and real, and have impacted the project plan development.
Project Controls
A. Timeline
Provide key dates for the project using the provided milestone table or another high-level format, such as a Gantt chart.
Milestone / Target Date / Status Update / Completion Date /B. Resources
Provide high-level, best guess estimates, which are appropriate in the early stages of planning and can be refined as the project progresses.
Cost Type / Total / Explanation /Internal Labor
External Consultant Labor
Other
Other
Other
Total
C. Communication
Describe to whom information will be communicated, how often (daily, weekly, monthly, as needed, etc.), and by what means (in person, via email, by phone, etc.).
D. Measures of Success
List performance measures for the project; consider cost, quality, schedule. Finish the statement, “We will have been successful when…”
E. Risks, Unintended Consequences
Identify high-potential problem areas identified in the project’s risk analysis. Describe contingency plans (“If this, then that” statements) as appropriate.
F. Decision-Making Process
Describe how decisions will be made, and who needs to be present for the decision. Include in this section how change management will be addressed.
Project Roles and Responsibilities
Name / Role / Responsible For /Project Sponsor
Project Lead
Etc.
Sponsor Signature
Name: / Date:2