Terms of reference describe the purpose and structure of a project, committee, meeting, negotiation, or any similar collection of people who have agreed to work together to accomplish a shared goal. The terms of reference of a project are often referred to as the project charter.
The 'terms of reference' are created during the earlier stages of project management, immediately after the approval of a project business case. They are documented by the project manager and presented to project sponsor or sponsors for approval. Once the terms have been approved, the members of the project team have a clear definition of the scope of the project. They will then be ready to progress with the creation of the remaining project deliverables.
This phrase is often used when describing the task that has been assigned to a consultant or advisor. As such, the consultant or advisor may be engaged via a contract with general terms of engagement that also incorporates the terms of reference that specifically describe the consultant's task.
In project management, a project charter or project definition is a statement of the scope, objectives and participants in a project. It provides a preliminary delineation of roles and responsibilities, outlines the project objectives, identifies the main stakeholders, and defines the authority of the project manager. It serves as a reference of authority for the future of the project. The 'terms of reference' is usually part of the project charter.
The project charter is usually a short document that refers to more detailed documents such as a new offering request or a request for proposal. In Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD), this document is known as the project charter. In customer relationship management (CRM), it is known as the project definition report. Both IPD and CRM require this document as part of the project management process.
The project charter establishes the authority assigned to the project manager, especially in a matrix management environment. It is considered industry best practice.
The 'terms of reference' are created during the earlier stages of project management, immediately after the approval of a project business case. They are documented by the project manager and presented to project sponsor or sponsors for approval. Once the terms have been approved, the members of the project team have a clear definition of the scope of the project. They will then be ready to progress with the creation of the remaining project deliverables.
This phrase is often used when describing the task that has been assigned to a consultant or advisor. As such, the consultant or advisor may be engaged via a contract with general terms of engagement that also incorporates the terms of reference that specifically describe the consultant's task.
In project management, a project charter or project definition is a statement of the scope, objectives and participants in a project. It provides a preliminary delineation of roles and responsibilities, outlines the project objectives, identifies the main stakeholders, and defines the authority of the project manager. It serves as a reference of authority for the future of the project. The 'terms of reference' is usually part of the project charter.
The project charter is usually a short document that refers to more detailed documents such as a new offering request or a request for proposal. In Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD), this document is known as the project charter. In customer relationship management (CRM), it is known as the project definition report. Both IPD and CRM require this document as part of the project management process.
The project charter establishes the authority assigned to the project manager, especially in a matrix management environment. It is considered industry best practice.
