<Project Name> Charter

< NOTE: Remove the italicized, bracketed guidance before routing for approvals. >
General Information
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Project Number:
Project Name:
Executive Sponsor:
Business Sponsor:
IT Sponsor:
Project Manager/Lead:

Executive Summary
< Provide a brief overview of this project, objectives, and associated metrics. >
Business Problem
< State in specific terms the problem or issue this project will resolve. For example, does
this project solve a problem, enhance a process, or support Churchill Downs
Incorporateds Strategic Plan? >
Business Objectives
< Insert as many objectives and associated metrics/measurements as necessary. >
1.
2.
3.
4.

Objective 1:
Objective 2:
Objective 3:
Objective 4:

Associated metrics to measure current state and benefit realization.

Associated metrics to measure current state and benefit realization.
Associated metrics to measure current state and benefit realization.
Associated metrics to measure current state and benefit realization.

Assumptions and Constraints

< Insert all identified assumptions and constraints. Assumptions are factors that, for
planning purposes, are considered to be true, real, or certain. Assumptions affect all
aspects of project planning, and are part of the progressive elaboration of the project.
Project teams frequently identify, document, and validate assumptions as part of their
planning process. Assumptions generally involve a degree of risk. Constraints are
applicable restrictions which will affect the scope, schedule, etc... >
1. Assumptions:
a. Assumption 1
b. Assumption 2
2. Constraints: Define primary constraints by placing an X in the column that applies
for each item. Add additional items if necessary.

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<Project Name> Charter

Not Flexible

Somewhat Flexible

Most Flexible

Budget
Human Resources
Schedule
Scope
Project Description, Scope and Major Milestones
Description: < Describe the project approach, specific solution, customer(s), and
benefits. >
Scope: < The Project Scope defines all of the products and services provided by a project
and identifies the limits of the project. In other words, the Project Scope establishes the
boundaries of a project. >
Major Milestones: < Provide a list of Project Management Milestones and Deliverables.
This list of deliverables is not the same as the products and services provided, but are
specific to management of the project. Examples are provided below. Insert Rows in the
table as necessary. >
Milestone
1. < WBS Baseline Complete >
2. < Testing Complete >
3.
4.

Estimated Complete Date

Project Authority
1. Projects are authorized by:
2. Authority to allocate resources:
3. Approval of project role descriptions and their associated responsibilities:
Project Organization
< Provide a hierarchal diagram of the project organization that begins with the
Executive Sponsor and includes the project team and other stakeholders. Describe the
type of organization used (if external resources are necessary) for the project team, its
makeup, and the lines of authority. >
Resources / Funding
< Identify the initial funding sources for capital, personnel, and other resources
committed to this project by the project sponsor(s). Additional resources may be
committed upon completion of the detailed project plan. >
Benefit Realization & Measurement

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<Project Name> Charter

< Define approximate benefit realization timelines for the objectives defined, the
measurement methods, resources required for measurement, and the associated reporting
required to validate/confirm benefit realization. >
Risk Identification & Analysis
< Define potential risks (preliminary assessment) and define their probability and
potential impact on meeting the project objectives. >
Risk Questionnaire (Note: This is not a comprehensive list of risk indicators.)
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9.

Are the project deliverables well defined and understood?

Are the business objectives fully defined?
Are major milestone dates flexible?
Has all project resources (human resources and equipment) been identified?
Are all impacted business units fully engaged?
Does IT have experience with the technology?
Will business processes, policies, and/or procedures require substantial change?
Are training resources defined for the end users?
Is there a business analyst familiar with the business processes assigned to the project
team?
10. Are project budget and schedule well described and reasonable?
11. Are external dependencies (if present) fully defined?
#
1
2
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Risk Description

Probability

Impact

Note: Insert rows as necessary. This preliminary risk table will be the foundation for the
project risk and issues log.

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<Project Name> Charter

Role
Artifact
Business Case
Charter
Project Plan
(WBS)
Risk / Issues
Log
Change
Control Log
Sponsor
Acceptance
Close-out
Benefit
Realization /
Measurement

Project
Approval
Authority

Executive
Sponsor

Business
Sponsor

IT Sponsor

Project
Manager /
Lead

Project Team

PMO

Vendor (s)

Other

< The RACI chart must be completed with specific names for each role prior to signatures. >
R =
A =
C =
I

Responsible: Owns the process and/or document; performs the task; responsibility can be shared
Accountable: Accountable for task being complete; answers to executive sponsors and/or business and IT sponsors; approves
documents, modifications, etcas necessary
Consult: Has information and/or capability necessary to complete the work; communicated with prior to task being completed;
may provide resources
Inform: Notified of results, updates, modifications, etc

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<Project Name> Charter

Approvals
NOTE: Sponsors must update their Management Incentive Plans to reflect
accountability for benefit realization.
< Add approvals as necessary. >

________________________________
Project Manager / Lead
< Name >
< Title >

Date: ____________________

________________________________
IT Sponsor
< Name >
< Title >

Date: ____________________

________________________________
Business Sponsor
< Name >
< Title >

Date: ____________________

________________________________
Executive Sponsor
< Name >
< Title >

Date: ____________________

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