Free template · UK English · Word format
The project charter template that starts the right conversation
One page. Nine sections. Every box annotated with what good looks like, so you're never staring at a heading wondering what goes in it. Written in UK English with £ budgets and sponsor sign-off, but the structure works for any team, anywhere. No methodology homework.
- Instant .docx download. Starts the moment you submit
- Guidance hints in every section, written by practising PMs
- Works in Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice
What's in the template
Project identification
Name, sponsor, PM, date: who owns what from day one
Why this project exists
The two-sentence justification most projects skip, then regret
Objectives & success criteria
Measurable 'done', agreed before work starts
Scope: in and out
The out-of-scope box that saves you in month three
Key stakeholders
Interest and influence mapped on half a page
High-level milestones
Five to eight, with owners and indicative dates
Top risks
Likelihood, impact, and what you're doing about each
Budget & decision authority
Who signs off what, agreed while everyone's still friendly
Sign-off
Sponsor and PM signatures: the moment it becomes real
Rather have it written for you?
Upload your kickoff notes or business case to PM101's PPM tool and it drafts the whole charter, objectives, scope, stakeholders, risks, specific to your project, in about a minute. Then your risk register and status reports, from the same notes.
Project charter questions, answered
What is a project charter?
A project charter is a short document, ideally one to two pages, that formally authorises a project. It records why the project exists, its objectives and success criteria, scope boundaries, key stakeholders, high-level milestones, top risks, and who has authority to make decisions. It's the contract between the project manager and the sponsor.
Is this template suitable for UK organisations?
Yes. It uses UK English, £ budgeting, and sign-off conventions common in UK public and private sector projects, and it aligns with the artefact structure used in PRINCE2-influenced environments without requiring the methodology. Teams outside the UK use it too; just swap £ for your currency. The structure is the same anywhere.
What format is the download?
A Microsoft Word (.docx) file that opens in Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, and Pages. Every section includes a short italic hint explaining what good looks like, which you delete as you fill it in.
Can I get the charter written for me instead?
Yes. PM101's PPM tool drafts a complete, project-specific charter from your kickoff notes or business case in about a minute, along with your risk register, stakeholder map, and status reports. Pro is £9/month.