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Project Blueprint

by Jerry Hemmerling  OP!DEV

The Project Charter, also known as the Project Data Sheet, is recommended by many private, government, and educational institutions, and with good reason. A Project Charter is both a contract and a passport. The charter facilitates early communication and collaboration, assures stakeholder agreement and commitment, acts as the first point of scope control, and indicates that the project has management and resource support. Most charters begin as a short template or example, prompting you to explain the work, risks, success criteria, and resources. The expected response varies tremendously. The Department of Defense example is 75 pages. However, a sample from Purdue University is three pages. Nike commonly uses two pages. And NASA introduces classroom instruction concepts with one page. Our template also begins as one page. A one-page Project Charter has several advantages; it is concise, complete, and mobile. Key information stays together. Key information stays with summaries. And you see the same proposal at lunch, on a bulletin board, and in the boardroom. Is a Project Charter good for you? Probably. Starting a project right turns the 80/20 rule to your advantage and is shown to have dividends far beyond the cost. Use one charter and your project is more successful and you improve overall communication, estimates, and risk recognition. Use charters regularly and the objectives and success criteria become personal, staff, and team goals. Use charters everywhere to align organizational objectives and resources. It’s work completing a charter, but it’s the same work that’s done in a project. Only up front, during discovery, when the objectives and alternatives are fluid and commitment and cost are lowest. Asking now has the highest return; “Is everyone present? Does this fit the plan? Is this the best use of our resources?” You make better decisions, earlier intervention and fewer mistakes with charters. Follow the links below for examples and instructions. Find more with a search on ‘project charter’.

OP!DEV (R) Project Charter Form         www.op-dev.com/articles/opdev-project-charter.doc Purdue Project Charter Sample         www.adpc.purdue.edu/MI/Spchartr.htm Purdue Project Charter Template         www.adpc.purdue.edu/MI/CHRTTMPL.htm Oregon Project Charter Sample         www.oregon.gov/DHS/admin/pmo/publications/pmo_initiation_templates.shtml NASA Project Data Sheet Sample         learn.arc.nasa.gov/pds/FY03/pds/Solar system explorer PDS.pdf

Ask us to familiarize you personally with Project Charters. We'll help fit a charter to your needs.

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Jerry Hemmerling is the founder of OP!DEV , a company providing leadership, planning, and innovation services that energize change and get results. Jerry may be reached by email at jerry@op-dev.com.