Forming & Managing Teams - Project & Team charters

Forming & Managing Teams - Project & Team charters

1. Best practice for consultant to draw up a project charter

   • A charter formally recognises the existence of the project - empowers PM to use organisational resources
     • Contents of a charter
       • Project Intent
         • Describe scope of project
       • Product description
         • Summary description of project output
       • Business need
         • Reason for undertaking project
       • Preliminary delineation of roles and responsibilities
         • Identify PM and key people as well as key division supplying people
       • Reference of authority
         • Identify authority figure in client organisation to authorise decision on future of project

2. Forming project team

   • PM to form key roles & optimal structure
     • Different projects have different key roles
       • People assigned to critical roles must report direct to PM
   • The following should be considered:
     • Define key roles
     • Define project team structure
     • Assign individuals to critical roles
     • Individuals incritical roles to select own sub teams
     • Develop team charter

3. High-Performance teams

   • Different mix of skills must be considered
     • Set organisational chart with clear roles & responsibilities
   • Open communication is vital
     • Should be facilitated & encouraged by consultant
   • Teams should be inspired
     • PM to set vision & motivate team through process
       • Team performance is more important than individual performance
     • Team bonding & celebrations should occur
   • High performance teams will:
     • Commit to achieve common project objectives
     • Learn to work together and support each other
     • Take pride in high quality results
     • Take pride in customer satisfaction

4. Team Charter

   • Team usually made up of staff from consulting firm and client organisation
     • Different cultures/practices makes commiting to a charter a good way to set out rules of engagement and avoid conflict
   • Different from project charter
     • Engenders commitment and ownership of project by individuals - should have each members signature on page
   • Set out team performance objectives, roles and responsibilities & rules of engagement
     • Definitions
       • Performance objectives
         • What project will do and deliver
           • Time lines and budget
       • Roles and responsibilities
         • No misunderstanding or ambiuity
       • Rules of engagement
         • Ground rules for operation of team
         • Expectations of team members & how they work together
           • Punctuality, respect, commitment, openness, acceptable behavior etc
           • Meeting protocols, discussion protocols
             • Decision making process