Project Charter Template – Excel Free Download

Feeling overwhelmed by initiating new projects?  Streamline your project management from the start with our FREE downloadable Project Charter Template!  This customizable Excel template helps you define project scope, goals, and stakeholders, setting your project up for success.  Download now and get your projects on track quickly and efficiently!

Dominate Your Projects with a Clear Roadmap (and a Free Template!)

This blog post equips you with the knowledge and tools to chart a course for project success! We’ll delve into the importance of project charters, then introduce our Free Project Charter Excel Template.  This user-friendly template streamlines the process of creating a clear and concise document that keeps everyone involved on the same page.

Why is a Project Charter Essential?

Ever felt like a project started well but went off the rails somewhere along the way? A clear project charter is your secret weapon to avoid that chaos. In this section, we’ll explain why having a project charter is essential for keeping your projects focused, efficient, and on track. We’ll also explore the potential pitfalls of skipping this crucial step. Think of a project charter as your project’s constitution. It outlines the project’s:

• Purpose & Objectives: Clearly defines what the project aims to achieve.
• Scope: Sets boundaries and deliverables, preventing mission creep.
• Stakeholders: Identifies everyone involved, from sponsors to team members.
• High-Level Approach: Provides a roadmap for project execution.

Benefits of Using Our Project Charter Template:

Launching a successful project requires a solid foundation. Our project charter template is here to help you build that base quickly and effectively. Here, we’ll dive into the key benefits you’ll gain by using our template, from saving valuable time to ensuring clear communication and streamlined project management.

• Save Time & Effort: Skip the hassle of building a charter from scratch. Our template provides a structured framework to get you started quickly.
• Enhanced Clarity & Focus: Streamline the charter creation process, ensuring a clear and concise document that communicates effectively.
• Improved Communication: Establish a shared understanding of the project from the beginning, fostering smoother communication throughout.
• Increased Project Success Rates: A well-defined charter sets your project up for success by aligning stakeholders and establishing clear expectations.

Get Your Free Project Charter Template

Streamline your project management from the start! Our FREE Project Charter Template helps you define project scope, goals, stakeholders, and more, setting your projects up for success. Download it Now!

Download Your Free Project Charter Template Now!

Elements of Project Charter Template

A project charter might sound complex, but it doesn’t have to be. This section will break down the core elements of our project charter template into easy-to-understand chunks. With bulleted lists and clear explanations, you’ll be a pro at identifying and filling out each section in no time.

1. Project Overview:

The Project Overview section provides essential details about the project at a high level, helping stakeholders quickly understand the basic parameters and leadership involved in the project.

• Project ID: A unique identifier for the project, facilitating easy tracking and reference.
• Project Name: The formal name of the project, which is used in all documentation and communication.
• Project Manager: The person responsible for overseeing the project’s execution, serving as the primary point of contact.
• Project Sponsor: The executive or senior stakeholder sponsoring the project, often responsible for championing and funding the project.

2. Project Timeline and Budget:

This section outlines the key timeframes and financial aspects of the project, providing a snapshot of the project’s scale and resource allocation.

• Expected Start Date: When the project is scheduled to begin.
• Expected Completion Date: The projected date when the project will be completed.
• Estimated Cost: The total financial resources estimated for the completion of the project.
• Estimated Savings: The potential savings or financial benefits the project is expected to generate.

3. Project Details:

Project Details are critical for defining the what, why, and who of the project, ensuring all participants are aligned on the project’s goals and deliverables.

• Purpose: A statement outlining why the project is being initiated, highlighting its importance.
• Objectives: Specific goals that the project aims to achieve, providing clear targets for success.
• Scope: Defines the limits of the project, detailing what is included and what is excluded from the project.
• Deliverables: The specific outputs or products the project is expected to produce.
• Stakeholders: The list of individuals, groups, or organizations who have an interest in the project, whether as beneficiaries or contributors.

4. Execution and Control:

This section is designed to detail how the project will be managed, including roles, schedule, risks, and the necessary approvals to ensure smooth progression.

• Roles & Responsibilities: A breakdown of the key roles involved in the project, along with their specific responsibilities.
• Tentative Schedule: Lists major milestones along with their descriptions and the expected start and finish dates, providing a timeline for project execution.
• Risks and Mitigation: Identifies potential risks to the project’s success with corresponding strategies to mitigate these risks, including any additional remarks for clarity.
• Approvals: Details on who must approve various stages of the project, along with their roles and the dates their approvals were given.

5. Company Contact Information:

Essential contact information that facilitates communication between stakeholders and the company managing the project.

• Email: Contact email for project communications.
• Phone: Phone number to reach the project team or company.
• Address: Physical or mailing address of the company or project office.

By filling out these sections in your Project Charter Template, you can create a clear and comprehensive document that serves as a roadmap for your project’s success.

How to use Project Charter Template: Step by Step Instructions

Ready to put your project charter template into action? We’ve got you covered! This section provides a step-by-step guide on how to use our template effectively. We’ll walk you through each stage, making the process clear and manageable.

Open the Template

• Start by opening the Excel file that contains the Project Charter Template. This will be your working document throughout the project planning phase.

Provide Project Overview

• Project ID: Enter a unique identifier for your project, such as “PC101”.
• Project Name: Provide the formal name of the project, like “New Product Launch”.
• Project Manager: Input the name and contact details of the person managing the project, e.g., “Jane Doe, jane.doe@example.com, 555-1234″.
• Project Sponsor: Add the name and contact details of the project’s sponsor, e.g., “John Smith, john.smith@company.com, 555-5678″.

Enter Project Timeline and Budget

• Expected Start Date: Select the date when the project is scheduled to begin, for example, “2024-01-15”.
• Expected Completion Date: Choose the projected date for the project’s completion, such as “2024-12-15”.
• Estimated Cost: Enter the total anticipated cost required to complete the project, e.g., “$250,000”.
• Estimated Savings: Note any expected financial benefits or savings the project aims to achieve, e.g., “$30,000”.

Key Project Details

• Purpose: Describe why the project is being undertaken, outlining the main justification, e.g., “To expand market reach and increase product line visibility.”
• Objectives: List the specific, measurable objectives that the project aims to fulfill, such as “Increase market share by 10% in 12 months”.
• Scope: Clearly define what is included and excluded in the project, e.g., “Includes market research and product design; excludes manufacturing.”
• Deliverables: Specify what the project will produce, including both tangible and intangible outcomes, like “Marketing strategy report, prototype product”.
• Stakeholders: Record all key parties interested in or affected by the project, detailing their interest and potential impact, such as “Marketing team, R&D department, external suppliers”.

Execution and Control

• Roles & Responsibilities: Fill out the table with names, roles, and responsibilities for each team member, ensuring clarity, e.g., “Alice Cooper – Marketing Lead – Oversees marketing campaign”.
• Tentative Schedule: Input major milestones, along with a brief description and the estimated start and finish dates for each, like “Milestone 1: Market Analysis, 2024-02-01 to 2024-03-01”.
• Risks and Mitigation: Identify potential risks and detail strategies to address these issues, including any pertinent remarks for further clarity, such as “Risk: Supply chain delays, Mitigation: Establish secondary supplier relationships”.
• Approvals: Document the names, roles, and approval dates of individuals who have decision-making authority over the project, like “Approved by: Emily Ross, CEO, 2024-01-10”.

Provide Company Contact Information

• Email: Enter the email address that stakeholders can use to send inquiries or communications related to the project, e.g., “info@company.com“.
• Phone: Provide a contact number for immediate communications or questions, such as “555-7890”.
• Address: List the address of the project office or the company if necessary for mailing or visits, like “123 Business Rd., Metropolis, CA 90210”.

Review and Distribute

• Double-check all entries to ensure accuracy and completeness. Consider having another team member review the document as well.
• Save and share the completed charter with all stakeholders. Use the document as a central reference throughout the project lifecycle to maintain alignment and guide project decisions.

This structured approach ensures that every aspect of the project charter is thoroughly planned and documented, providing a clear roadmap for project execution.

Kickstart Your Project Management Journey (Bonus Resources):

Your project charter is just the beginning of a successful project management journey. Here, we’ll provide you with bonus resources to keep you moving forward. From helpful blog posts to informative tutorials and additional project management templates, you’ll find everything you need to take your project management skills to the next level.

• The Ultimate Free Project Plan Template for Excel (And How to Use It Effectively): Learn how to manage tasks, deadlines, and resources with our complementary project plan template.
• The Charter – Selling your Project: Learn, how Charter helps you to sell your project? from Project Management Institute (PMI), A valuable resource for project management professionals, offering certifications, best practices, and industry insights.
• For a wider selection of project charter templates, visit smartsheet. They offer a variety of downloadable templates in different formats like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.