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Team Charter Template | FREE Download

by | reviewed 13/02/2021
High performing teams use a Team Charter!
A Team Charter is used to agree how the team will work together. It should be created with the project team and signed by each member. Charters are especially helpful for remote and virtual teams, particularly if they don't have a history of working together.
We strongly recommend that you create the charter with your team. Ask each person how they like to work and what they see as good team working. A pre-written charter enforced on your team won't work. They won't feel any ownership or buy in to it.

In the PMBOK Guide - Sixth Edition, a team charter is an output of process 9.1 Plan Resource Management.

The template is fully editable with Word and can be converted or changed to suit your project. The contents of the template is shown below.
Team Charter word template

The contents of the Team Charter template

 
Document information
Enter the:
  • Project name
  • Project reference
  • Date prepared
  • Version number
 
Team members
List the project team members and their job titles or role on the project.
 
Team values and principles
Note down the values and principles that you have agreed to work to as a team. Here are a few suggestions:
  • There are no silly questions, and it is always ok for ask for more information.
  • For each problem we will bring a solution
  • We will work as a team to solve problems. We know we can ask for help anytime.
  • We are always open and honest.
  • We work hard, but we also support each other to keep a good home life balance.
 
Meeting guidelines
Note down how team meetings will be run and guidelines for attendees. Here are some suggestions:
  • If we can't attend a meeting, we will decline and propose an alternative time. We will prioritize project team meetings.
  • We will be present and take an active part in meetings, putting other work aside.
  • We will be open about which actions we can take and commit to completing them on time.
  • We will arrive on time.
 
Communication guidelines
Document how the project team will communicate with each other and with your customer. Here are some suggestions:
  • We will choose phone calls over email.
  • We will confirm actions and decisions in writing. Using the Project Actions Template.
  • We will communicate early and often.
 
Team decision-making process
Describe how decisions will be made within your project team. Include who has what decision making authority. Here is a suggestion:

Team members are free to make decisions about the best way to complete their work, but anything that impacts project scope, time or cost must be agreed with the project manager first.

The project manager will make decisions on scope within the project tolerances and escalate to the project sponsor as needed.
 

Download the template!

Word download - Team Charter Template (.doc)

Word download - Team Charter Template (.docx)

OpenDocument Text download - Team Charter Template (.odt)

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