now, no signup required!
People often find being on a team a waste of time. Even team leaders sometimes have no idea where or how to start. In such cases, teams flounder or fall apart simply because they find it difficult to work together. These conditions can have dire consequences for a business. Team charters can help prevent that.
Team charters can bring team members together and concretize goals. Here we’ll discuss the meaning of team charter and team charter template with an example to help managers and team leaders organize teamwork and maintain the momentum of ongoing projects.
Team Charter Meaning
Team charters are documents that clarify team direction and establish boundaries. A team charter in project management can make sure that right from the start everyone is focused on a common objective. A team charter template can also be drawn up when a team is in trouble or when team members need to regain their perspective.
No matter what industry we talk about, working in a team can be as rewarding as it can be tricky. Team members are expected to efficiently juggle multiple projects simultaneously, make quick progress and exhibit agility. The purpose of a team charter is to help a team execute common goals even when individual objectives differ.
A team charter template shows how a team will work, what their purpose will be and what outcomes are expected. Any team charter example will show you how it clarifies to members and sponsors the direction everyone’s heading in. Team charters define the overall objectives, constraints and resources of a team. They serve as sources to illustrate the direction and focus of the teams.
Elements Of A Team Charter
Now that we know the meaning of team charter, let’s look at the elements of a team charter:
- The team charter meaning indicates that it clears everyone’s perception toward a common objective
- As the purpose of a team charter is to align everyone to commit to one common goal, it’s created by involving every team member. It’s not a charter created just by management
- It allows us to define a team depending on our objectives and departments. Separate departments can have their exclusive teams and charters
- A team charter template can be periodically revisited and changed if members join or leave a team
Team charters are living documents that should change and grow with the organization.
Steps For Creating A Team Charter With Team Charter Example
Let’s look at the steps for creating a team charter with a hypothetical team charter example:
1. Purpose
Team charter in project management has to begin with its purpose by telling us why a team comes together and what can be considered an acceptable outcome.
Example: Team A will improve delivery time by 75%.
2. Duration And Commitment
In this section, we document the amount of time a team works for. It stipulates the estimated weekly or monthly time for work as well.
Example: The team has to work 40 hours a week for three months to achieve the target.
3. Scope
Scope defines the working spectrum—what tasks can be included and excluded.
Example: Only activities within the manufacturing plant will be within the scope, to document and pursue.
4. Members
This section lists team members and leaders.
Example:
a. Dave Bautista (Team Leader)
b. Aaron Wan (Team Sponsor)
c. Bruno Fernandez
d. Harry Maguire
e. Luke Shaw
f. Shaun Pollock
5. End Result
Here we mention the target that the team has to achieve. Goals are established in this section.
Example: The team has to identify, prioritize and incentivize activities that’ll increase deliveries by 75% in the future.
6. Resources
Resources can be budgets, authority, software or other people who may not be part of the team but hold value to the project.
Example: The team needs access to production records, planning SME, feeder department records, VP of operations and a travel budget.
7. Reporting
The team is told who and how to communicate progress.
Example: The team leader has to submit a detailed weekly report. There will be a monthly progress review.
8. Deliverables
In this section we define outputs and it includes KPIs to measure success.
Example: The team will provide A3 documents that outline the current status of variables, desired changes and projected benefits.
9. Links
In the final step for developing a team charter, we consider other departments that can overlap with the team’s purpose.
Example: The final step for developing a team charter will require the team to link with the 6-Sigma project, core safety program and vendor alignment approach.
Using a team charter in project management sets up a team for success. That’s why it’s crucial that managers focus on studying team charter examples and understand the meaning of team charter to avoid dysfunctional teams and confirm objectives.
Harappa’s Managing Teamwork program will help in achieving team goals through team collaboration. Get comfortable with dialogue and discussion when collaborating with team members. Learn the Bruce Tuckman Model for team formation and growth and the Skill-Will Matrix to assess team skills. The GRIN Framework will teach you the four essential characteristics of teamwork: shared Goals, clear Roles, strong Independence and established Norms. Sign up for Harappa to learn to leverage connections, build allies and deliver win-win outcomes in a transparent work culture.
Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics such as Importance Of Team Work, Stages Of Team Development, Advantages of Jigsaw Techniques and Characteristics Of An Effective Team to build strong professional networks.
