Chapter 5 - Project Charter¶

Part 1¶

Story¶

Back in his office John is already waiting for him. Dr. Rogers informs John that the meeting was rescheduled and that he now has time to work out the project charter. "Now we have created the project file, then we can work out the project charter", Dr. Rogers says, as he pushes aside the documents on his desk. "Is the project file the only requirement to start working on the project charter?" "No. We know what our project should look like - we are developing a hay fever medication. Of course, we also had to ask ourselves whether this project was even feasible. After that, the environment analysis must be carried out, which we have already done. And now we can focus on the project charter. You see, there are three main objectives to keep in mind when you are planning and controlling a project. The project deliverable, the project duration and the project costs." He takes a pen and starts taking notes.

"To give the project the right orientation, we have to weigh up the objectives against each other. What should have the highest priority?" asks Dr. Rogers. "Mhh, I think the project costs should be first priority - the cheaper the project, the bigger the margin." answers John. "So, what if the medication fails at some point and people get sick instead of being cured? Wouldn't that be a financial and personal disaster?" Dr. Rogers replies and thinks of the many times in history of modern medicine, when newly developed drugs caused more damage than really helping the people. In other words, the project deliverable - the quality - has to be the top priority.

"Based on my experience, it would only be possible to speculate about the precise time of project close-out. So?" he continues asking.

"Of course!" John says, "Lowest priority to project completion and second-lowest priority to budget adherence."