Project Charter Development

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

Project Charter Development

Division: Information Technology Services

Document Number: PM-002

Department: Project Management Office

Prepared by: Project Management Office

Date created: 10/02/2025

Reviewed/Approved by: IT Project Manager

Date of last review: 10/01/2026

Purpose

To define the standard process for developing and approving project charters at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). The charter serves as the foundational agreement outlining project scope, objectives, resources, and governance.

Scope

Applies to all NCCU projects approved through the intake and prioritization process that require formal PMO oversight and Steering Committee review.

Charter Development Process

  1. Assign Project Manager: Once approved in intake, the PMO assigns a project manager to lead charter development.
  2. Engage Sponsor and Stakeholders: The project manager meets with the project sponsor and key stakeholders to gather requirements and expectations.
  3. Draft Charter: The project manager completes the standard Project Charter Template in TeamDynamix, including:
    • Project title and description
    • Business need / problem statement
    • Goals and measurable objectives
    • Scope (in-scope and out-of-scope items)
    • High-level timeline and milestones
    • Resource and budget estimates
    • Risks, assumptions, and constraints
    • Sponsor and governance structure
  4. Internal PMO Review: The draft charter is reviewed by the PMO for clarity, completeness, and alignment with NCCU standards.
  5. Stakeholder Validation: The draft is shared with sponsor and stakeholders for feedback and revisions.
  6. Submission for Approval: The final draft is submitted to the Project Steering Committee (or CIO for smaller initiatives).

Approval Workflow

  1. Review Meeting: The Steering Committee reviews the charter at scheduled governance meetings.
  2. Decision:
    • Approved – Project is authorized to proceed and move into detailed planning.
    • Conditionally Approved – Project may proceed once identified issues or clarifications are addressed.
    • Rejected – Returned to sponsor/PMO with explanation.
  3. Notification: The PMO communicates decision via TeamDynamix and updates the project record.
  4. Archiving: Approved charters are stored in the PMO repository (TeamDynamix Documents and SharePoint).

Relevant Policies & References

• NCCU Project Charter Template (available in TeamDynamix)
• NCCU Project Governance Policy
• NCCU IT Strategic Plan

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