What is typically included in a project charter?

A project charter serves as a foundational document that outlines the primary objectives and framework of a project. One of its critical components is obtaining approval from the project sponsor. This approval is essential because it signifies that the sponsor acknowledges the project’s goals, resources, and constraints, granting the authority to proceed. The project sponsor's backing is vital for ensuring the project's alignment with organizational strategy and for securing necessary resources.

While detailed task lists, roles, responsibilities, and expense statements may be part of broader project planning documents like a project management plan or scope statement, they are not typically included in the project charter. The charter focuses on high-level aspects, such as project objectives, stakeholder identification, and project authorization, which can later be broken down into more detailed planning documents as the project progresses.