A project charter in project management is a formal, concise document that officially authorizes the existence of a project and grants the project manager the authority to begin work and allocate organizational resources to project activities

. It serves as a foundational roadmap that outlines the project's purpose, goals, scope, key stakeholders, major milestones, and resource requirements, ensuring alignment and clarity among all parties involved from the start

. Key elements typically included in a project charter are:

• Project goal and objectives, defining the reasons for undertaking the project and its scope

• Identification of project participants and their roles, including stakeholders and sponsors

• Requirements and resources needed to achieve the project objectives

• Constraints and potential risks that might affect the project

• Implementation milestones, such as start and completion dates and important checkpoints

• Communication plans for how information will be shared among stakeholders

• Deliverables that specify the products, services, or results the project will produce

• A general overview of the project budget or cost

The project charter acts as both an internal marketing tool to gain stakeholder buy-in and a reference document to keep the project on track, preventing scope creep and budget overruns

. It is usually created at the beginning of the project initiation phase and must be reviewed and approved by senior leaders or sponsors who control funding, thereby providing formal permission to proceed with the project

. In summary, the project charter is essential for defining what the project is, why it is being done, who is involved, and how it will be executed, serving as the official sign-off to start the project and a guide throughout its lifecycle