Develop Project Charter
Develop Project Charter is the process of creating the document that formally authorizes a project or phase and documents the initial requirements that satisfy stakeholder needs and expectations.
Explanation
Develop Project Charter is the first process in Integration Management and belongs to the Initiating process group. Its primary output is the project charter, which establishes a partnership between the performing organization and the requesting entity. The process uses inputs such as business documents (the business case and benefits management plan), agreements, enterprise environmental factors, and organizational process assets.
Key tools and techniques used in this process include expert judgment, data gathering (such as brainstorming, focus groups, and interviews), and interpersonal and team skills like conflict management and facilitation. Expert judgment is particularly important because it draws on specialized knowledge from subject matter experts, industry groups, consultants, and stakeholders to evaluate the inputs.
This process is performed once or at predefined points in the project. It ensures that the project has a sound basis and that the organization is committed to the investment. The project manager should be identified and assigned as early as possible, ideally before the charter is developed and always before planning begins.
Key Points
- •First process in Integration Management and the Initiating process group
- •Uses business documents, agreements, and organizational factors as key inputs
- •Expert judgment and data gathering are primary tools and techniques
- •Performed once or at predefined points to authorize the project or phase
Exam Tip
On the exam, know that the business case and benefits management plan are inputs to this process but are NOT outputs of it. They exist before the charter is created.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Project Charter
A project charter is a document issued by the project sponsor that formally authorizes the existence of a project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities.
Business Case
A business case is a documented economic feasibility study that establishes the validity of the benefits of a selected component lacking sufficient definition and that is used as a basis for the authorization of further project management activities.
Benefits Management Plan
The benefits management plan is a document that describes how and when the benefits of a project will be delivered, measured, and sustained, including target benefits, strategic alignment, timelines, metrics, and ownership.
Expert Judgment
Expert judgment is the application of specialized knowledge or training from individuals or groups with expertise in a specific area to guide project decisions.
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Change Control Board (CCB)
A Change Control Board (CCB) is a formally chartered group responsible for reviewing, evaluating, approving, deferring, or rejecting changes to the project, and for recording and communicating those decisions.
Burndown Chart
A Burndown Chart is a graphical representation of work remaining versus time in a Sprint or release, showing whether the team is on track to complete the planned work.
Resource Leveling
Resource leveling is a resource optimization technique in which adjustments are made to the project schedule to keep resource usage at or below a defined limit, often resulting in a longer project duration.
Risk Register
The risk register is a project document that records the details of individual project risks, including their identification, analysis results, response plans, and current status.
Stakeholder Mapping
Stakeholder mapping is the visual representation of stakeholder relationships, influence, interest, or other attributes using grids, matrices, or diagrams to support analysis and engagement planning.
Relative Estimation
Relative Estimation is an agile technique where work items are sized in comparison to each other rather than in absolute units like hours or days, providing faster and more accurate estimates.
Cost Performance Index (CPI)
Cost Performance Index (CPI) is an EVM efficiency metric that measures cost performance as the ratio of earned value to actual cost: CPI = EV / AC.
Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is an EVM efficiency metric that measures schedule performance as the ratio of earned value to planned value: SPI = EV / PV.
Earned Value Management (EVM)
Earned Value Management (EVM) is a methodology that integrates scope, schedule, and cost data to assess project performance and progress objectively.
Part of
Integration Management
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