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Feature 059: Project Charter - Automated Generation, PDF & Client Sign-Off Gateway

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1. Overview

The Project Charter creates a formal agreement between you and your assigned expert before work begins. The platform generates this charter automatically from your approved brief and specifications, converts it to PDF, and manages the review and sign-off process for both you and your expert. This ensures everyone starts with clear expectations and documented agreements.

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2. Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Access the Charter - Navigate to /charter from your project dashboard after your brief has been approved. The system displays your project charter if one exists, or prompts you to generate one.
  2. Generate the Charter - Click the “Generate Charter” button. The platform analyzes your project brief, technical specifications, and scope to create a comprehensive charter document that includes objectives, deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities.
  3. Review Charter Content - Read through the generated charter sections: project scope, success criteria, deliverables, timeline, and acceptance criteria. The charter pulls directly from your validated brief and specifications to ensure accuracy.
  4. Download PDF Version - Click “Download PDF” to save a formatted copy of the charter. This PDF includes all project details and serves as the official reference document.
  5. Submit for Expert Review - Once satisfied with the charter content, click “Submit for Sherpa Review.” The system notifies your assigned expert to review and provide feedback on the charter.
  6. Address Expert Feedback - If your expert requests changes, you’ll receive a notification. Review their feedback in the charter interface, make necessary adjustments, and resubmit for review.
  7. Provide Final Approval - After your expert approves the charter, you’ll receive a notification to provide your final approval. Click “Approve Charter” to formally accept the agreement.
  8. Download Certificate - Once both parties approve, the system generates a completion certificate accessible via the certificate download link. This document confirms mutual agreement and project kickoff.

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3. Common Questions

Q: Can I edit the charter after it’s been generated?
A: Yes, during the review phase before both parties sign off. Once you submit for expert review, you can regenerate the charter if needed before final approval. After both parties approve, the charter becomes locked. Q: What happens if my expert rejects the charter?
A: Your expert provides specific feedback on concerns or requested changes. You review their comments, adjust project parameters if needed, regenerate the charter, and resubmit. This continues until both parties reach agreement. Q: How long does the charter review process take?
A: Most expert reviews complete within 24-48 hours. You receive notifications at each stage. If review takes longer than expected, the platform sends reminder notifications to keep the process moving. Q: What if I need to change project scope after charter approval?
A: Approved charters document the original agreement. For scope changes, contact your expert through the project messaging system to discuss modifications. Significant changes may require generating an updated charter through the formal change process. Q: Is the charter legally binding?
A: The charter serves as a working agreement that documents mutual understanding and expectations. It complements your platform terms of service and provides clear reference for project delivery standards.

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4. Troubleshooting

Issue: Charter generation fails or shows incomplete information
Solution: Ensure your project brief is fully approved and all required sections are complete. Return to /briefreview to validate brief completeness, then retry charter generation. If the issue persists, contact support with your job ID. Issue: PDF download produces blank or malformed document
Solution: Try downloading again using a different browser. Clear your browser cache and retry. The platform generates PDFs on-demand, so temporary server issues may affect generation. Wait 2-3 minutes and attempt download again. Issue: Unable to submit charter for review
Solution: Verify your expert has been assigned to your project. Check project status in your dashboard - expert assignment must complete before charter review begins. If an expert is assigned but submission fails, refresh the page and retry. Issue: Not receiving notifications when charter status changes
Solution: Check your notification preferences at /privacypreferences and ensure charter-related notifications are enabled. Verify your email address is confirmed. Check spam folders for platform notifications. Brief Review (/briefreview) - The approved brief feeds directly into charter generation. Return here if you need to update project scope or requirements before generating your charter. Planning Review (/customerplanningreview) - After charter approval, planning artifacts enter formal review. This feature manages detailed planning reviews and sign-offs for specifications and design documents. Data Room (/dataroomlist) - All approved charters save automatically to your project data room. Access historical charters and project documentation for reference throughout delivery.