Useful things to remember
Index
Move on from an idea to a structured project
- Move on from an idea to a structured project
- Understand the project charter structure
- Fill in the project charter
- Ask for approval
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Suggest a practice01
Move on from an idea to a structured project
Once you've worked with the Innovation Platform to clarify the problem statement, the next step is to turn it into a project proposal by using the project charter.
A project charter is a formal document that states the existence of a project and gives written authority to the roles involved to start working on it. It helps creating a common understanding in the organization about the project scope, objectives, timeframe, resources and governance.
Tip: check some examples
The best approach to write your project charter is to start from previous projects’ examples (2023 PROJECT CHARTERS), get familiar with the format before starting yours!
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02
Understand the project charter structure
The project charter contains all the relevant information to understand the project, in particular:
- project name;
- timeframe: start and end date, total duration;
- roles: project sponsor, project manager, advisory board, team and stakeholders;
- scope: description, objective and expected benefits, key results, elements in scope and out of scope;
- process: main milestones and deliverables;
- cost: budget and effort;
- risks for the organization;
- project communication plan.
Warning: Be aware of the differences between project sponsor and project manager
One of the main goals of this step is to clarify roles involved and responsibilities. A project sponsor is the person in the organization who is accountable and responsible for the area you aim to improve or innovate (e.g. the Director of the department that is more heavily involved, or even the General Director or the Deputy General Director). A project manager is the person in the organization who is going to work hands-on on the innovation initiative described in the project charter, and would be in charge of its day by day management.
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03
Fill in the project charter
The project charter is always helpful to transition from initial research and problem statement to a defined innovation project, with precise roles and scope. As project manager, you can ask for the support of the Innovation Platform and the Project Sponsor to fill in all the information.
Warning: Sometimes the project charter is mandatory
There’re situations in which the project charter is mandatory, because it’s an official document required to move the conversation forward with the MT and get approval and budget. In particular, any initiative that falls in any of the following criteria MUST HAVE a project charter:
• It has a Total Costs of Ownership higher than 50k. The TCO includes the costs related to structural human resources (time), ad hoc resources to be hired, consultancies, softwares…
• It requires a dedicated Full Time Equivalent (Project Manager or else).
• It impacts significantly the organisation (time, resources, change…) beyond the department where it is originated.
• It bears a high organizational risk.
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04
Ask for approval
After creating a first version of the project charter, the Project Sponsor will present the structure to the Management Team to align and clarify on the area of intervention. After the project charter will be approved by the General Director the project can officially start.
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