programcharter

A program charter is a formal document that authorizes the existence of a program and grants the program manager authority to apply organizational resources to program activities. It defines the program at a higher level than a project charter and clarifies how a group of related projects will be coordinated to achieve benefits that would be difficult to realize individually.

A program charter typically articulates the strategic purpose of the program, outlining how it aligns with organizational goals and the expected value or benefits. It sets the program’s scope, high-level objectives, and success criteria, along with boundaries, key requirements, assumptions, and constraints. It also establishes the program’s governance framework, including the program sponsor, the program management office or governance body, roles and responsibilities, decision rights, escalation paths, and initial budget and funding authority.

The document serves as a basis for planning and authorization. It is usually developed by the program sponsor in collaboration with key stakeholders and approved by senior governance authorities. Once approved, the charter anchors subsequent planning effort and guides the creation of the program management plan, roadmaps, and a benefits realization plan.

In practice, the program charter differs from a project charter by focusing on coordination, governance, and value realization across multiple related projects rather than on delivering a single project output. It remains a lightweight, high‑level reference that can be updated as the program evolves.