Quality Improvement Zone

A project charter helps create a shared understanding of what you are trying to achieve, why the work matters and how you will know whether improvement is happening. Think of it as the foundation for your improvement work. It helps teams agree on the direction of the project, communicate expectations and stay focused as the work progresses.

A project charter typically includes:

• an aim statement: what you want to achieve, for whom and by when
• the rationale: why the improvement work is needed and the problem it will address
• the scope: what is included and excluded from the project, and who will be affected by the work
• measures: how progress and impact will be monitored
• change ideas and activities: initial ideas for achieving improvement and the actions needed to support them
• roles and responsibilities: who is involved in the project and what they will contribute
• risks and mitigations: potential challenges and how they will be managed

A project charter helps teams move from an idea for improvement to a shared plan for action. It provides clarity about the purpose, scope and direction of the work, helping everyone work towards the same goal.

A project charter can help you:

• communicate what you want to achieve and why it matters
• create a shared understanding among team members and stakeholders
• define the boundaries of the project and reduce scope creep
• identify how success will be measured
• clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations
• provide an agreed reference point when decisions need to be made

Without a charter, projects can lose focus, expand beyond their intended scope or stall due to differing expectations about what the work is trying to achieve.

A project charter should be developed collaboratively and used throughout the life of your improvement project. It acts as a reference point for the team, helping to ensure the work remains aligned with its original purpose as learning emerges and circumstances change.

• Develop the charter together
  Involve the people who will lead, support and be affected by the project. This helps build shared ownership and increases commitment to the work.
• Agree on the key elements of the project
  Work together to define the aim, scope, measures, roles and initial change ideas. Taking time to reach agreement can help avoid misunderstandings later.
• Share the charter with stakeholders
  Use the charter to communicate the purpose and direction of the project with sponsors, leaders, team members and other stakeholders.
• Use it to guide project discussions
  Refer to the charter during project meetings to review progress, check alignment and support decision-making.
• Use it alongside other improvement tools
  The project charter provides a foundation for other outputs such as your driver diagram, measurement plan and project plan.
• Review and update it regularly
  As your understanding of the system develops and your project evolves, revisit the charter to ensure it continues to reflect the work being undertaken.