The project charter and scope statement for a computer science project are key to the successful completion of the project. The project charter is a document that provides a detailed account of what the project is intended to accomplish, why it is being undertaken, the technology and content that will be used for it, how long it will take, what it will cost, and how the results will be evaluated (Lynch & Horton, 2009, p. 1). Lynch and Horton (2009) state that "The project charter document is crucial to creating a successful site: it is both the blueprint for your process and the touchstone you'll use to keep the project focused on the agreed-upon goals and deliverables" (p. 1). The project scope statement is a detailed description of what the proposed system or web site will include and will emphasize the most important features and content, as well as the system or site's purposes (Lynch & Horton, 2009, p. 43).
Some of the important components of the project charter and project scope statement include the philosophy, methodology, overall purpose, overall goals, and the importance of these documents in terms of the key information collected from each of them. The philosophy behind the project should be reflected in the charter. For example, if a system is being developed to promote worker empowerment, the charter should include references to workers' access to information in the system and the fact that the information it provides promotes easier and better decision making on the part of employees. The charter should also include a description of the methodology to be used in designing and building the system, since an upfront commitment to the methodology is necessary from the beginning so that the methodology can shape the entire design and build process. The charter must include a statement of the overall purpose and goals of the project, as well, since it is a governing document
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