We inherited a project with no charter. Can we continue?
Missing project mandateKeep essential reversible work moving while reconstructing the mandate. Do not assume that old meeting notes authorize spending, scope, or decisions that nobody has accepted.
What to do now
- Inventory existing commitments
- Identify the sponsor and decision rights
- Draft a concise charter from current evidence
- Ratify scope and authority before major commitments
When to escalate
Escalate when
Current commitments exceed confirmed funding or authority.
Who decides
The accountable sponsor
Example
A replacement project manager records an interim mandate and obtains confirmation before signing the next supplier milestone.
Mistake to avoid
Backdating approval documents to make the record appear complete.
Prevent a repeat
At each stage decision, check that the expected outcome, owner and justification remain valid.
Suggested ApprovedFlow setup
- Projects
- Documents
- Approvals
Keep the decision brief with the project and request a recorded sponsor decision before the next commitment. See the platform
Related cases
- A strategic project has no operational owner after delivery. Is that a problem now?Missing post-project ownership
- A pilot succeeded, so management wants immediate rollout. What is missing?Pilot-to-scale assumption
- A governance committee has no quorum. Can the project continue?Invalid decision process
- Should a project continue when the remaining cost exceeds the remaining value?Continuation decision