What is a Project Charter?

A Project Charter is an essential document in project management. It's like a contract or a map for the project, and it's usually created at the beginning, during the initiation phase. Here's what a Project Charter usually includes:

• Project Purpose or Justification: This is why the project is being done. What problem will it solve? Why is it important?
• Project Description and Objectives: This describes what the project will make or hopes to achieve. For the treehouse, it would be something like "Build a safe and fun treehouse that can fit three kids at a time."
• High-Level Requirements: These are the big, important things that the project needs to do. For the treehouse, things like "The treehouse must be strong enough to hold three kids" or "The treehouse must have a safe way to climb up and down."
• Project Boundaries: This is what the project will and won't do. Maybe the project will build the treehouse, but it won't paint it—that could be a different project.
• Budget and Resources: This is a list of what stuff you need for the project and how much it will cost. The treehouse might include wood, nails, tools, and the cost for each.
• Project Team and Stakeholders: This is a list of who will work on the project and who cares about the project. For the treehouse, it might be you, your parents, and your friends.
• Project Timeline: This is when the project will start and when it should be finished.
• Risks and Assumptions: This is a list of things that might cause problems for the project and things that you're assuming will be true. For the treehouse, a risk might be bad weather that stops work, and an assumption might be that the tree is strong enough to hold a treehouse.

The Project Charter is a vital tool in project management because it ensures everyone understands and agrees on what the project will do. It helps prevent misunderstandings and confusion later on.