Project Charter

Project Plan Definition

There are a number of project plan templates available on gantthead.com. Registered members can download this sample. Premium members can download this sample.

Purpose

The Project Plan formalizes the following:

• Agreement between the Executive Sponsor and Project Manager

• Project purpose

•Business and project goals and objectives

• Scope and expectations

• Roles and responsibilities

• Assumptions and constraints

• Quality Management approach

• Project Management approach

• Ground rules for the project

Components

Each Project Plan component is essentially a work productresulting from subtasks in the Make Plan Project Management task, but can be revised during other project management activities. It is important to document all parameters that will have an impact on the project, its planning and execution.






1. Introduction

Purpose of the Plan

State the purpose of the Project Plan. Indicate in a short statement that the Plan willprovide a definition of the project, including the business goals and objectives. In addition, state that the Plan is an contract between the Project Manager, Executive Sponsor, Project Team and other management of the enterprise associated with and/or affected by the project.

Background Information about the Project

Describe the project history. Include information such as previousinitiatives, business environment changes (may be related to competition, regulation, resource availability), and the impetus and rationale for the project. Describe, in essence, how the project came about.

Project Approach

Explain how the various behavioral and team management techniques, methodology and task structure will be utilized most effectively to meet the requirementsand objectives of the project. State which development path was chosen to complete the project and the reason for the selection. Identify the “character” of the project (standard, pathfinder, demonstration, etc.).






2. Goals and Objectives

Business Goals and Objectives

Goals and Objectives are defined as follows:

Goal:

A goal is anaspiration of the company that states a direction in which the company will focus its efforts in support of its mission.

Objective:

Objectives are short-term targets (typically 12-24 months or less) of defined, measurable achievement.

In the Business Goals and Objectives section, identify the corporate goals and objectives that the project intends to support, aswell as how they are measured. Some typical business objectives are:

• Decrease costs, errors, reworks by a specific percentage

• Decrease processing or turnaround times by a specific percentage

• Increase productivity or capacity by a specific percentage

• Eliminate backlogs by a specific percentage

• Increase market shareby a specific percentage

• Reduce risk by a specific percentage

• Comply with regulatory requirements (avoid fines or penalties)

• Provide better access to data needed for decision making within a specific time limit

Project Goals and Objectives

State the goals and objectives expected to be achieved as a result of implementing theproject, and describe how meeting them will support the corporate objectives and goals. Set project objectives by establishing why the project has been commissioned and what it is expected to achieve for the enterprise. Identify the specific results to be realized and the benefits to be achieved. Be certain to establish the time frame in which the objectives are expected to be met. Define a visible...