The Project Charter is one of the most critical documents in project management. It formally authorizes the existence of a project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities.

What's New in This PMBOK 8 Template?

This modernized template has been fully updated to align with the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition (2025), incorporating the latest principles and practices:

• Business Case and Strategic Alignment — Links the project directly to organizational strategy and value delivery (PMBOK 8 Principle: Focus on Value)
• Development Approach — New section to define whether the project uses Predictive, Agile, or Hybrid methodology
• Sustainability Considerations — ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) section aligned with PMBOK 8's sustainability principle
• AI and Technology Tips — Practical recommendations for leveraging AI in project management
• SMART Objectives — Structured table for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives
• Governance Structure — Clear roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths aligned with the Governance Performance Domain

Template Sections

1. Purpose
2. Business Case and Strategic Alignment
3. Project Description and Background
4. SMART Objectives and Success Criteria
5. Scope Overview (In-Scope / Out-of-Scope)
6. Milestones and Key Dates
7. Project Organization and Governance
8. Development Approach
9. Assumptions and Constraints
10. High-Level Risks
11. Budget Summary
12. Sustainability Considerations
13. Approvals

Design Features

• Modern blue color palette with professional layout
• Segoe UI font for readability
• Heading 1 styles for Word Navigation Pane support
• Styled tables with alternating row colors
• PMBOK 8 tip boxes highlighting new features and best practices
• Version Control and Approvals tables

Format: Microsoft Word (.docx) | PMBOK Edition: 8th (2025) | Domain: Governance

Complete Guide & Filled-In Example

Get the most out of this template with the two companion resources below:

• Project Charter in PMBOK 8 — Complete Guide — Understand the purpose, key elements, and best practices before filling in the template.
• Download the Filled-In Example — Project Phoenix — See exactly how this document was completed for a real $72K website launch project.