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PMPCAPM

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.

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