Which document is created during the planning phase to define and authorize the project?

The project charter is a crucial document created during the planning phase of a project, as it serves to define the project’s scope, objectives, and stakeholders. It acts as an authorization tool, granting the project manager the authority to allocate resources and make decisions throughout the project lifecycle. The charter outlines the key goals, project boundaries, and overall vision, ensuring that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what the project entails and what it aims to achieve.

In contrast, a project schedule is focused on outlining timelines and milestones for the various tasks involved in the project, while a project report typically summarizes the current status and progress of a project but is not foundational in the planning phase. The risk management plan, although vital for identifying potential risks and outlining mitigation strategies, is developed after the project charter and does not serve to formally authorize or define the project. Thus, the project charter distinctly stands out as the foundational document necessary to initiate and authorize the project effectively.