What is a Project Charter?
Every successful quality improvement project needs a clear plan, but it’s easy for teams to get lost in undefined goals, leading to confusion and wasted effort. The project charter is the foundational document that prevents this. It serves as a formal agreement that defines the “why,” “what,” and “who” of your project, providing a single source of truth for your team, stakeholders, and leadership.
More than just a document, a charter is a versatile tool. It acts as a blueprint by defining your project’s scope to prevent scope creep. It’s a spotlight that illuminates risks early and highlights the intended benefits for patients. As a game plan, it unites your team around a shared vision and clarifies roles. Finally, it’s a bridge to organizational resources, clearly communicating your needs to support groups and ensuring your project has what it needs to succeed.
Resources
The video and templates below provide the guidance and tools you need to create an effective project charter for your next QI initiative.
Developing Your Project Charter
Watch this video to learn why a project charter is essential for quality improvement. It explains four key functions of a charter and shows how it empowers your team to deliver measurable improvements in patient care.
Project Charter Template
Download the Project Charter Template
Use this fillable template to create a comprehensive project charter for your QI project. It provides a structured format to document all essential components, including:
- Project background and problem statement
- Goals and objectives
- In-scope and out-of-scope items
- Key stakeholders and team roles