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Project Charter

Document template for Google Docs and Word

Make a copy in Google Docs
Type
Document
Price
Free
Pages
10 · US Letter
Style
Corporate
Difficulty
Beginner
Updated
October 31, 2026

Every page (10)

Overview

Projects drift when nobody can point to what was agreed. This charter puts the authority, objectives, scope boundaries and success measures on paper before work starts. It opens with the purpose and business reason, then objectives with baselines and targets, what is in and out of scope, deliverables, milestones, budget, roles and a signature page.

The sample charters a £480,000 project at Kettleby Group to cut average call wait from 9 to 4 minutes, with a tolerance of 10% on cost and 2 weeks on schedule. Replace the purpose, objectives and out-of-scope list with your own, set budget and tolerances to match your delegated authority, then collect signatures and record the date and version.

Useful for

  • A PMO authorising a new project and naming the sponsor and project manager before spend begins
  • A sponsor setting cost and schedule tolerances so the project manager knows when to escalate
  • A team recording out-of-scope requests it has already heard, to settle later scope disputes

What's included

  • Title block with sponsor, project manager, date and status, plus the business reason for the project
  • Objectives scorecard with baselines and targets, and the actions needed before the first gate
  • Scope comparison of what is in and out, with definitions and an exclusions callout
  • Work breakdown outline with an owner, effort and deliverable for each task
  • Milestone timeline, gate descriptions, budget table with tolerances and a spend chart
  • Roles and RACI, a sign-off page and an agreement page with change control

How to use it

  1. 1

    Click Make a copy in Google Docs, then confirm on the Google page. The copy is saved to your own Google Drive.

  2. 2

    Write the purpose as one sentence a stranger could understand, then name the sponsor and project manager in the title block.

  3. 3

    Replace the objectives with measures that have a baseline, a target and a date, and list the out-of-scope requests you have already heard.

  4. 4

    Set the budget and tolerance figures to match your delegated authority, then update milestones, roles and the RACI.

  5. 5

    Collect signatures before work starts, record the date and version, delete the Make it yours page, then share the charter.

What you need

Requirements

  • A Google account with access to Google Drive

Works with

  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word (download the .docx)

Questions

Should the charter be signed before work starts?

Yes. The charter authorises spend and fixes tolerances, so collect signatures first. Signing after work has begun turns the charter into paperwork instead of a reference for scope disputes.

What are tolerances and why do they matter?

Tolerances are the limits within which the project manager can act without approval. The sample allows 10% on cost and 2 weeks on schedule; beyond that, the issue goes to the sponsor.

Are the organisation and figures real?

No. Kettleby Group, every person named and all the figures are fictional sample content. Replace them with your own details before you ask anyone to sign.

  • #project-charter
  • #project-management
  • #pmo
  • #project-sponsor
  • #scope-statement
  • #raci
  • #milestones
  • #google-docs

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