Why we should always create a Charter?
It may sound absurd to begin a project, any type of project, without clearly defined goals, but this is a leading cause of project failure worldwide. So, to ensure ECC starts off on the best footing, we have created a Charter for the Building Expansion Project.
Let’s define a Charter
When we begin a new project we must define what needs to be accomplished and decide how the project is going to proceed. We know that every project begins with an idea, a vision, or a business opportunity. In this case, it is ECC’s church growth vision, and that is the starting point that must be associated with our church’s objectives.
The project charter is that starting point and this is the very first reason of its importance.
What’s the Charter?
The Project Management Institute (PMI) in its “PMBOK – A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge” describes the project charter as “a document that formally authorizes a project”.
A charter authorizes a project, and ensures that necessary resources and management commitments are provided to achieve success. It is a tool to obtain commitment and ensure understanding of roles and responsibilities from all affected groups for a project before it starts.
A project charter is a formal agreement that ensures project stakeholders share a common understanding of why the project is being done, the timeframe, deliverables, boundaries, and responsibilities.
The project charter is one of the first steps in the project planning process following completion of the project initiation phase. In ECC’s case, the initiation phase was when Council brought the Building Expansion vision before the church for a formal vote.
The project charter does not normally change through the project life cycle. It is created at the beginning of the effort, approved by key stakeholders, and signed before work starts on a project.
You can read the charter here: Project Charter