Key Planning Documents: Charter

A Charter statement, sometime referred to as a "mandate" is used to describe the following:

• The reason why the organization was created
• When it was created
• By whom
• Who it is meant to serve, why and how
• Who are key stakeholders.
• Who were the key personnel that brought the organisation about
• The principle business functions the organization is to provide
• Any capability that existed on formation

The Charter is one of the three foundation documents on which organisation planning and design is based using our framework. The other two, the Vision and Mission statements are planning documents that will be amended as circumstances change, the Charter, once written, should be altered only in exceptional circumstances.

Why a Charter Statement?

The reason for a Charter is quite simple. It sets out the circumstances surrounding why the organization was formed, describes its core values and who the key people were who formed the group. The underlying principle to be aware of is that if you do not know your roots, then the probability is increased that the you will be distracted from achieving long term aims. It puts things in context.

Value to the Planning Framework?

The Charter's value to the framework is to provide a start point on which to base the definition of the first business plan expressed as a Vision statement and an associated short to medium term plan written as a Mission statement. Subsequent Vision and Mission statements are likely to change as the circumstances the organization finds itself in alter. As a start point for organization design, the Charter, or Mandate, is of fundamental importance. It should be possible for all organization staff to trace their role or function through to the Charter.