Project Charter Template (Free Example & Expert How-to Guide)

Use this professional project charter to define scope, objectives, stakeholders, deliverables, milestones, success criteria, and authority — so your project starts with strategic clarity and stakeholder alignment.

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What Is a Project Charter?

A project charter formally authorizes a project and grants the Project Manager authority to lead it. It aligns stakeholders, confirms objectives, defines scope, clarifies governance, and establishes success criteria before planning begins.

Establishes shared clarity from day one
Prevents misalignment and scope confusion
Sets sponsor expectations and accountability
Reduces rework and delays later in delivery

When to Use a Project Charter

Phase	Charter Purpose
Initiation	Confirm justification and alignment
Planning	Align stakeholders on method + scope
Execution	Prevent scope creep
Closing	Validate outcomes + success criteria

How to Complete the Project Charter (Step-by-Step)

Define Purpose & Business Justification
Clarify Scope (In-Scope vs Out-of-Scope)
Document Key Deliverables
Identify Stakeholders & Governance
Establish Milestones & Timeline
Confirm Budget Summary
Define Success Criteria (KPIs)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ambiguous scope — Always define what is *not* included.
No measurable KPIs — Add quantifiable success metrics.
Unclear governance — Document decision and escalation paths.
Missing assumptions & risks — Capture early to prevent surprises.

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