This project charter outlines a research project that will analyze how to best backup and secure data on servers for ABC Corporation. The project aims to reduce costs and risks around data interruptions. Key stakeholders include the project sponsor, manager, and leads from various departments. The project will deliver a business continuation plan by analyzing backup strategies and securing data on servers, but will not include data on user systems. Major risks are a steep learning curve using new technology and potential changes in federal regulations. The project requires staff time from developers, analysts, and testers and has a first year estimated total cost of $XXX with projected benefits of $YYY.

1. PROJECT CHARTER / SCOPE STATEMENT
Research Questions
Research Question(s):
Brief Problem Statement:
1. General Project Information
Project Name:
Project Sponsor:
• Is this an Enterprise Project, e.g., does it have significant impact on 3 or more departments (Y/N)? If so, is there a
Governance structure?
• Is this project part of a group of related projects? If so, describe.
• Is this project dependent upon other projects for successful completion? If so, describe.
Project Rank:
Project Manager:
Project Manager Authority: (e.g., Assign tasks, assign project team members, write appraisals for project
team members commensurate with % of time on project, remove project team members, etc.)
Document History
Version Date Author Reason for Change
2. Stakeholders
Name Department Telephone
(Optional)
E-mail
(Optional)
Project Sponsor:
Project Manager:
Process Lead:
Technical Lead:
Business Lead:
Others: (e.g., thoseindividuals or groups with a significant interest in this project)
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2. 2. Stakeholders
Name Department Telephone
(Optional)
E-mail
(Optional)
3. Vendor Contacts
Name Company / Role Telephone
(Optional)
E-mail
(Optional)
4. Project / Service Description
Project Purpose / Business Justification Describe the product or service that this project will produce (e.g., “This
project will produce a Business Continuation (BC) Plan for ABC Corporation.”) Describe the business problem or need
being addressed (e.g., “ABC Corporations is currently at risk for interruption of essential services during a crisis.”).
Connect project to current company business strategy(s) and/or research to connect project to industry landscape,
including the following three elements in a short description...
1) Describe the business context surrounding your project – Consider restating figures from the cost-benefit
analysis to make it compelling.
2) Describe a strategic connection to current business strategies and/or mission at your organization. For example,
the CEO may have recently said that all projects need to show how we are working to “Grow a culture of
Innovation and Excellence” – operate like a business vs. a family-owned grocery store.”
3) Describe how your project connects to the industry and competitive landscape surrounding your company. Cite
your own research and/or IBIS World report around the industry for your organization …
Objectives (in business terms) Measurable outcomes of the project. Objectives have an attribute (e.g., cost), a
yardstick (e.g., U.S. dollars) and an absolute or relative value (e.g., less than $400,000). Objectives typically deal with cost,
time, and quality (e.g., reduce the cost of delivery of this service by 30%). The success of your project may be judged
based on how well it met these objectives.
Deliverables List the high-level project sub-products whose satisfactory delivery mark completion of the project (e.g.,
working computer code, software manual, user training).
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3. 4. Project / Service Description
Clear Statement of What This Project Will Not Include (Example: Phase 1 of the Business Continuation Plan
project will include an analysis of how best to backup and secure all data held on servers, but will not include consideration
of data held on user systems such as laptops.)
Project Milestones Proposed start and end dates for Project Phases (e.g., Inception, Planning, Construction, Delivery)
and other major milestones.
Major Known Risks A Risk is anything that may prevent the project from meeting its objectives. Include both internal
risks (things that the project team can control or influence) and external risks (things outside of the project team’s control
or influence). (e.g., Internal Risk – steep learning curve due to first use of this new technology. External Risk – pending
Federal legislation may cause a change in requirements.). Does the success of this project depend upon engagement of
other internal or external organizations / groups?
Assumptions List anything the project team is to believe is “real, true, or certain” with respect to resources, personnel,
or schedule (e.g., certain staff’s availability, funding, external market conditions, competitor offerings, etc.).
Constraints List any conditions that may limit the project team’s options with respect to resources, personnel, or
schedule (e.g., predetermined budget or project end date, limit on number of staff that may be assigned to the project).
5. Cost / Resources Information
Funding Source Select one of the following: (Example: Operating Budget, Technology Fund, Grant, Other. (If Other,
please describe in the Notes section below.)
Estimate of Total First-Year Cost Use “Cost-Benefit Analysis” spreadsheet (posted to Course Materials) to calculate
cost. If relevant, include both the cost of completing the project and the cost of not doing the project at all. If the project
includes significant scope options that will affect cost, describe all viable options.
First Year Cost in $U.S.: $
First Year Benefits in $U.S.: $
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Estimate time required of IT Department Staff (List each role and the number of hours required)
Role (e.g. Developer, Analyst, Network Engineer) Hours needed (e.g. x hrs/mon for x months; x hours total)
Estimate time required of other Organization Staff (Add rows as needed)
Role (e.g. Project Manager, Customer, Tester,
Analyst)
Hours needed (e.g. x hrs/mon for x months; x hours total)

4. 10. Sign-off
Name Signature Date
(MM/DD
/YYYY)
Business Sponsor
IT Department
Coordinator
Project Manager
12. Notes
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