Develop A Project Charter Through Applying Concepts And Tech

Develop A Project Charter Through Applying Concepts And Techniques Exp

Develop a project charter through applying concepts and techniques explored in this course. Follow this outline: PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1) Open the team essay with an introduction section describing a project charter. 2) Summarize why a project charter is critical to project management success. PART 2: PROJECT CHARTER LITERATURE REVIEW 1.) Define Project Charter (per PMBOK 6th Edition and course textbook). 2.) List the various elements of a project charter and why each is used (i.e., title, scope overview, business case, background, etc.). 3.) Explain in-depth the following key components of the project charter: project vision, objectives, scope, and organization and implementation plan. PART 3: PROJECT CHARTER DEVELOPMENT 1.) Create each section of a charter for a small sample project using given project information provided by the instructor. 2.) Constructing the project charter: The sponsor and project team typically work together. In practice, often the team prepares the first draft and then discusses with sponsor. a. Develop scope overview and business case: This is the “elevator speech” – a half-minute summary of the project. b. Create the milestones (MS Project optional, an Excel spreadsheet is acceptable). c. Identify risks, assumptions, and constraints (as applicable, create contingency plans and assign ownership for each major risk). d. Create a stakeholder listing (only the primary stakeholders and all other stakeholders). e. Develop the team operating principles. f. Identify “Lessons learned.” 3.) Summarize the key elements used to develop the project charter. PART 4: CONCLUSION: 1.) What critical take-aways in the development process of a project charter would your team incorporate into the role of a Project Manager? 2.) Highlight specific areas of project risk planning, assumptions, and the potential constraints to the project discovered in the report. 3.) Apply the required knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques of a project, as defined in the PMBOK® Guide and course text.

Paper For Above instruction

The project charter serves as a foundational document in project management, establishing the initial scope, objectives, and stakeholders involved in a project. It acts as a formal authorization for the project’s initiation, providing direction and aligning expectations among stakeholders. A well-crafted project charter is vital to project success because it ensures clarity, sets boundaries, and facilitates stakeholder commitment, which are essential for effective planning and execution (PMI, 2017).

According to the PMBOK 6th Edition, a project charter is a document that formally authorizes a project or a project phase, describing high-level objectives, the initial scope, key stakeholders, and the overall purpose. The project charter typically includes elements such as the project title, purpose or justification, measurable objectives, high-level scope, key stakeholders, project manager authority level, and preliminary resource estimates (PMI, 2017). These components collectively provide a comprehensive overview, ensuring all stakeholders have a shared understanding from the outset.

Each element of a project charter plays a critical role. The project title offers a clear identifier; the purpose or justification explains why the project exists; objectives describe specific, measurable outcomes; the high-level scope delineates what is included and excluded; stakeholders list the primary parties involved; project manager authority clarifies decision-making scope; and initial resources lay the groundwork for planning (Kerzner, 2013). This structure ensures the project is strategically aligned and operationally guided from inception.

Delving into core components, the project vision articulates the overarching aim and destination of the project, inspiring team alignment. Objectives specify the concrete, quantifiable targets to achieve this vision. The scope defines the boundaries—what the project will deliver and what falls outside its purview—preventing scope creep. The organization and implementation plan outline how the project will be structured and managed, including roles, responsibilities, and operational plans. These elements combine to direct project execution effectively and ensure stakeholder understanding (Larson & Gray, 2018).

Developing a sample project charter begins with understanding the project information, such as the scenario involving a food truck service during residency weekends at the University of the Cumberlands. To craft the scope overview, the project team would prepare a concise summary: implementing a food truck service for 23 weekends annually, providing specific food offerings, and managing operational hours. The business case highlights benefits such as increased campus engagement and revenue generation, supporting the university’s strategic goals.

Milestones are established based on SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, vendor agreement completed within one month, food menu finalized by the second month, and truck purchase or lease finalized by the third month. Risks such as supply chain disruptions, weather conditions affecting outdoor service, or vendor delays are identified, with contingency plans like backup vendors or alternative supply routes assigned to responsible team members. Major assumptions, such as consistent student demand or supply availability, are documented, along with constraints like budget limitations or regulatory requirements.

The stakeholder list includes primary stakeholders: students, faculty, project sponsors, and vendors, as well as additional stakeholders like campus administration and local health departments. Developing team operating principles ensures clear communication, accountability, and decision-making processes, fostering a collaborative environment. Lessons learned from past projects—such as the importance of early stakeholder engagement and flexible contingency planning—are incorporated to streamline execution and prevent issues.

In summary, the development of a project charter relies on integrating these key elements—vision, objectives, scope, stakeholders, milestones, risks, assumptions, constraints, and lessons learned—into a cohesive document that guides project execution. For a project to be successful, these components must be carefully considered and iteratively refined in collaboration with sponsors and stakeholders. Applying tools like logical frameworks and risk analysis techniques ensures a robust charter that aligns with organizational goals and mitigates potential challenges.

From a project manager’s perspective, critical take-aways include the importance of clear communication, stakeholder engagement, and thorough risk assessment early in the project lifecycle. Incorporating lessons learned about contingency planning and realistic assumption setting enhances project resilience. Establishing comprehensive milestones and defining authority levels ensures accountability and progress tracking. Recognizing constraints and proactively planning for them reduces uncertainty and helps maintain project scope and schedule integrity.

In conclusion, a well-developed project charter embodies the strategic foundation upon which project success is built. Using the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques outlined in the PMBOK® Guide and course literature allows project managers to create effective charters that facilitate stakeholder alignment, resource planning, and risk mitigation. Continual refinement and stakeholder collaboration are key to producing a charter that not only authorizes the project but also guides it toward successful completion.

References

• Kerzner, H. (2013). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
• Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. (2018). Project Management: The Managers' Guide to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Project Management Institute (PMI). (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). PMI.
• Schwalbe, K. (2015). Information Technology Project Management (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2014). Project Management: A Managerial Approach. Wiley.
• Reiss, M. (2015). The Art of Project Management. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Heldman, K. (2018). PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide. Sybex.
• Wysocki, R. K. (2014). Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme. Wiley.
• Schmidt, R. (2018). Practical Project Management: Proven Strategies to Manage Complexity and Get Results. Routledge.
• Bowen, P., & Sykes, C. (2015). Project Management for Construction. Wiley.