According to the PMBOK® Guide, the Develop Project Charter process involves high-level planning and alignment between the sponsor, the project manager, and key stakeholders. The Project Charter serves as the foundation for the project, authorizing its existence and providing the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities.
Why Choice A (High-level deliverables) is correct: At the initiation stage, the team does not yet have a detailed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Instead, the charter defines the high-level deliverables or " big-ticket items " that the project is expected to produce. This sets the boundaries for what the project will and will not include.
Why Choice B (Success criteria) is correct: It is vital to define what " success " looks like before the project begins. Success criteria include measurable goals, such as finishing within a specific budget, meeting a technical standard, or achieving a specific ROI. This ensures that all stakeholders have a shared definition of a successful outcome.
Why Choice C (Project objectives) is correct: Project objectives link the project to the organization ' s strategic goals. These are often broad statements (e.g., " To increase market share by 5% through a new mobile app " ) that explain why the project is being undertaken.
Analysis of other options:
D (Phase transitions): While phase transitions are part of the project life cycle, the specific criteria and handovers for these transitions are typically detailed during the Project Management Plan development (specifically in the Life Cycle Description), rather than the high-level Project Charter.
Cost: While a high-level budget or " summary budget " is often included in a charter, the detailed " Cost " analysis and cost baselines are developed much later during the planning process. In a " choose three " scenario, Deliverables, Success Criteria, and Objectives represent the core strategic alignment required to authorize the project.
By focusing on these three elements, the Project Manager ensures that the project starts with a clear mandate, a defined goal, and a baseline for measuring performance from the very beginning.
