I can’t believe how frustrating it is when team members don’t agree on the direction of a project. It’s even worse when you realize that the reason for this is that the team is missing a team charter. A team charter acts as a compass, providing everyone with a clear understanding of the objective, expectations, roles, and responsibilities.

I’ve worked on many projects that have gone off track due to a lack of clarity around the team’s charter. It’s why I’ve made it a priority to ensure that my teams always create an effective team charter from the outset.

In this article, I’ll share the knowledge I’ve gained over the years, starting with why team charters are important, and then diving into the six critical sections you should always include when crafting your charter. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to create a team charter that aligns everyone’s expectations and creates a cohesive and productive team.

What are the 6 sections in the team charter?

The Background of a Team Charter

A team charter is a document that outlines the purpose, goals, and responsibilities of a team. It serves as a roadmap for the team to follow, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal. The first section of a team charter is the background. This section provides context for the team’s formation and explains why the team exists.

The background of a team charter typically includes information about the project or initiative that the team is working on. This may include the project’s timeline, budget, and goals. It may also include information about the stakeholders who are involved in the project and the challenges that the team may face. The background section helps to ensure that everyone on the team has a clear understanding of what they are working towards and why.

Key Point: The background section of a team charter provides context for the team’s formation and explains why the team exists.

Defining Mission and Objectives in a Team Charter

The mission and objectives section of a team charter outlines the team’s purpose and the specific goals that they are working towards. This section is critical for ensuring that everyone on the team is working towards the same goal and understands what they need to accomplish.

The mission statement should be brief and clear, outlining the team’s overall purpose and what they hope to achieve. The objectives should be specific, measurable, and achievable. They should be designed in such a way that they can be easily tracked and assessed throughout the project.

Key Point: The mission and objectives section of a team charter outlines the team’s purpose and the specific goals that they are working towards.

Allocating Budget and Resources in a Team Charter

The budget and resources section of a team charter outlines the financial and material resources that the team will need to succeed. This section may include a detailed breakdown of the project’s budget, including salaries, equipment, and other expenses.

It is important to allocate resources appropriately to ensure that the team has what they need to succeed. This may involve balancing the needs of the team with the available resources, and making tough decisions about what can and cannot be accomplished within the budget.

Key Point: The budget and resources section of a team charter outlines the financial and material resources that the team will need to succeed.

Establishing Roles and Responsibilities in a Team Charter

The roles and responsibilities section of a team charter outlines the specific tasks and responsibilities for each member of the team. This section is important for ensuring that everyone on the team understands their role and what is expected of them.

The roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined and should be based on each team member’s skills and expertise. This section may also include information about team leadership and communication structures, as well as guidelines for resolving conflicts.

Key Point: The roles and responsibilities section of a team charter outlines the specific tasks and responsibilities for each member of the team.

Outlining Team Operations in a Team Charter

The team operations section of a team charter outlines the processes and procedures that the team will follow in order to achieve the project’s goals. This section may include information about decision-making processes, communication protocols, and project management techniques.

Outlining the team’s operations helps to ensure that everyone on the team knows what to expect and how to work together effectively. It can also help to identify potential roadblocks and make adjustments to the team’s operations as needed.

Key Point: The team operations section of a team charter outlines the processes and procedures that the team will follow in order to achieve the project’s goals.

Determining Scope in a Team Charter

The scope section of a team charter outlines the boundaries of the project and what is outside of the project’s scope. This section may include information about the project’s deliverables, timeline, and budget, as well as any constraints or dependencies.

Determining the scope helps to ensure that the team stays focused on the project’s goals and avoids wasting time and resources on tasks that are outside of the project’s scope. It can also help to identify potential risks and ensure that the team has a clear understanding of what is expected of them.

Key Point: The scope section of a team charter outlines the boundaries of the project and helps to ensure that the team stays focused on the project’s goals.

Conducting Performance Assessment in a Team Charter

The performance assessment section of a team charter outlines how the team’s progress will be measured and assessed throughout the project. This section may include information about how the team will track their progress towards their objectives, as well as how they will assess their performance as a team.

Conducting performance assessments helps to ensure that the team stays on track and stays focused on the project’s goals. It can also help to identify areas where the team is excelling and areas where they may need to improve.

Key Point: The performance assessment section of a team charter outlines how the team’s progress will be measured and assessed throughout the project.

Setting Activities and Milestones in a Team Charter

The activities and milestones section of a team charter outlines the specific tasks, timelines, and deadlines for the project. This section may include information about key milestones, such as project completion dates or major deliverables, as well as the specific tasks and activities required to achieve those milestones.

Setting activities and milestones helps to ensure that the team stays on track and makes progress towards the project’s goals. It can also help to identify potential roadblocks and make adjustments to the project plan as needed.

Key Point: The activities and milestones section of a team charter outlines the specific tasks, timelines, and deadlines for the project.