^ [[5 Initiating Phase]]
# 5.4 Project Charter
The [[Project Charter]] provides a basis for the **more detailed project planning**. It defines the project’s **objectives** (i.e. scope, time, cost, [[quality]]), high-level **requirements**, **risks** and **constraints**, as well as the project **milestones** and **deliverable(s)**.
The charter is a key element of the project approval process (along with the [[Business Case]]). It includes the what, how and when fundamentals of the project and **provides a baseline** against which progress can be measured. Although the Project Charter can be initiated by the Business Manager (BM), it is ultimately the **responsibility of the Project Manager (PM)** to complete it and submit it for approval.
![[Table 5.4 - Project Charter.png]]
## Inputs
- Project Initiation Request
- Business Case
## Guidelines
- The Project Charter should be **brief** so that it can be sent **to project stakeholders** as soon as possible, and so that it is easy for them to **review** and understand.
- Avoid presenting detailed requirements. Instead present **high-level needs and features**.
- **Detailed requirements** may be captured in other artefacts (e.g. in a Requirements Document), or **in an appendix** to the Project Charter to be **elaborated during the planning phase**.
- Ensure that **input** from all concerned project **stakeholders** is considered.
- Ensure that once created, the Project Charter is **updated and distributed as required**.
## Steps
1. The Business Manager (**BM**) will first consult the main project **stakeholders** and takes part in drafting the Project Charter.
2. The Project Manager (**PM**) is **responsible** for delivering the document.
3. The main project stakeholders review the Project Charter and the Project Steering Committee (**PSC**) **accepts** it.
4. The Project Owner (**PO**) sends the Business Case and Project Charter to the **appropriate decision-making body** for additional **approval**, if needed.
5. The **appropriate decision-making body** evaluates and **accepts or rejects** the Project Charter.
![[Fig 5.6 Project Charter inputs and main roles.png]]
![[Table 5.4 - Project Charter - Related artefacts.png]]
## Outputs
- Project Charter (PM2 Template)
___
Spanish Guide: [[5.4 Acta de Constitución del Proyecto]]
<-- [[5.3 Business Case]]
--> [[5.5 Phase Gate RfP (Ready for Planning)]]