Free Project Charter Template
Word & PDF Download
A professional, sponsor-ready project charter with all 11 sections pre-structured. Covers scope, SMART objectives, stakeholder register, high-level timeline, budget summary, top risks and a formal approval sign-off block. Download in Word format and edit in minutes.
This template includes every section required by PMI/PMBOK standards: project overview, purpose & background, SMART objectives & success criteria, in/out of scope, stakeholder register, milestone timeline, budget summary with reserves, risk register, resource plan, change control note and formal approval signatures.
Download Free Template
Word (.docx) — edits in Word, Google Docs & LibreOffice
- 11 fully structured sections
- SMART objectives table
- Stakeholder register grid
- Milestone timeline table
- Budget summary with reserves
- Risk register (5 rows)
- Three sign-off blocks
- Document version history
- Header, footer & page numbers
All 11 Sections — What's Included
Every section is pre-structured with clear guidance text showing exactly what to write. Replace the placeholder text with your project details — the template handles all formatting, tables and layout.
Filling In Your Charter — Step by Step
Before You Open the Template
Gather these inputs before you start writing: the project sponsor's name and sign-off, a draft scope statement (even just 3–4 bullet points), an indicative budget or budget range, the target go-live date and 3–5 high-level objectives. You don't need perfect answers — the charter is a living document that gets refined during early planning. What matters is that you get sponsor sign-off on the best available information so the project is formally authorised.
Section 4 — Scope Is the Most Important Section
Most project managers spend 80% of their time on Section 3 (objectives) and 20% on Section 4 (scope). It should be the opposite. The out-of-scope list is the single most powerful scope creep prevention tool you have. If it isn't explicitly listed as out of scope, people will assume it's in scope. Be ruthlessly specific — name the systems, geographies, user groups and features that are not included in this project.
Opening in Google Docs
The template downloads as a .docx file which opens natively in Microsoft Word. To use it in Google Docs: open drive.google.com, drag and drop the file to upload, then double-click it and select "Open with Google Docs." All formatting, tables and text will carry across. For PDF export from Google Docs: File → Download → PDF Document.
What Is a Project Charter?
A project charter is the foundational document that formally authorises a project to begin. In PMBOK terms it is produced during the Initiating process group and serves as the project manager's formal authority to use organisational resources. Without a signed charter, a PM is managing a project they have not been given permission to manage.
The charter answers four questions that every project sponsor and steering committee needs answered before committing budget: Why are we doing this? (purpose and business case), What exactly are we doing? (scope and objectives), How much will it cost and how long will it take? (budget and timeline), and Who is responsible? (PM, sponsor, team).
A charter is not a detailed project plan — it should be concise enough that busy executives will actually read and sign it. The detailed planning (WBS, detailed schedule, full risk register, communication plan) comes after the charter is approved, in the Planning process group.