Which phase of a project plan is a project charter created and approved?

• A. Planning
• B. Initiating
• C. Executing
• D. Closing

Answer: (B)

The project charter is created and approved in the initiating phase. This is the moment the project gains formal legitimacy: the charter authorizes the project and gives the project manager the authority to apply resources. It’s usually prepared by the sponsor or initiator and approved by the sponsor, outlining why the project is needed, its high-level objectives, key stakeholders, high-level requirements, constraints, and risks. Once this charter is approved, detailed planning begins. In the planning phase, you develop the plan for how to achieve the objectives, not authorize the project. Executing is about doing the work, and closing is about finalizing the project. So the creation and approval of the charter sits at the start, in the initiating phase.