Page 24 - Global Project Management Handbook

1-6 STATE OF THE ART OF GLOBAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

we can draw conclusions about how the projects were managed and in the process iden-
tify any “seeds” of the project management concepts and processes that existed.

PROJECT CHARTER

A project charter describes at a high level what is to be accomplished in a project and dele-
gates authority to the project manager to implement actions required for project completion.
It typically grants the project manager or project leader the authority to conduct selected
actions while planning, implementing, and completing the project. It may contain details
on what is to be done and what may not be done. Statements of mission, objectives, or
policies also may be included and accompanied by a budget.
An examination of historical documents that recognized the need for new artifacts or
strategies can provide initial insight into how and why the artifacts or strategies evolved.
These historical documents usually provide the “strategic need” for the action being con-
sidered and in most cases provide for a document similar to a “project charter” to guide
the design and execution of the initiative. For example:
● The Spanish Book of Privileges and Prerogatives granted to Christopher Columbus,
April 20, 1492. This document sets forth the compensation promised to Columbus by
Queen Isabel and King Fernando, if Columbus discovered land on his first voyage to
the New World.
● The English Charter to Sir Walter Raleigh, March 25, 1584. This document, executed
by Queen Elizabeth I, granted Sir Walter Raleigh authority to explore and claim lands
for England. It also defined the compensation that Raleigh would receive.
● The United States Congress Act authorizing Lewis and Clark Expedition, February 28,
1803. This act authorized exploration of the Northwest Territory of the United States to
find a land passage to the Pacific Ocean.
● The United States Homestead Act, May 20, 1862. This document granted an individual,
free of charge, 160 acres of public land if within five years a house was built on the land,
a well was dug, 10 acres were plowed, a specific amount of land was fenced, and the
individual actually lived there. An individual could claim an additional 160 acres of land
if 10 acres were planted and cultivated successfully with trees.

● The United States Tennessee Valley Act, May 18, 1933. This law established the
Tennessee Valley Authority for the purpose of reforestation, marginal land improve-
ment, flood control, and agricultural and industrial development of an area covering
seven states.
● The English Instructions authorizing the voyages of discovery of Captain James Cook,
August 1768, July 1772, and July 1776. Captain Cook was chartered by the United
Kingdom Royal Society to conduct three voyages in search of scientific information and
various lands; each voyage was about three years in duration.

EARLY LITERATURE ON PROJECTS

In all too many cases it will be impossible to find the original documents that established
the need for the artifact or strategy. For example, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Great
Wall of China, the Grand Canal of China, Roman roads, and Roman aqueducts are without