The project charter is a foundational document that formally authorizes a project and provides the project manager with the authority to apply organizational resources to project activities. Reviewing the project charter is essential at the outset to understand the project's objectives, scope, stakeholders, and any constraints or assumptions. This understanding is crucial, especially for large, complex projects with regulatory and environmental considerations, as it sets the direction for detailed planning and stakeholder engagement.
According to the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam objectives, under Domain 2.1: Explain the value of artifacts in the discovery/concept preparation phase for a project, the project charter is a key artifact that guides the initiation and planning phases.