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Project Governance Checklist

This checklist ensures effective governance across all stages of a project

Project Governance Checklist
Project Governance Checklist



1. Project Initiation and Scope Definition:

  • Ensure clear project objectives and goals.

  • Define the project scope and boundaries.

  • Obtain project sponsor approval.


2. Governance Structure:

  • Establish a project governance board or steering committee.

  • Identify and assign key roles (e.g., project sponsor, project manager, stakeholders).

  • Define decision-making processes and authority levels.

  • Outline escalation procedures for resolving issues.


3. Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Clearly define roles and responsibilities for all project team members.

  • Assign accountability for project deliverables.

  • Ensure stakeholder roles are identified and communicated.


4. Communication and Reporting:

  • Develop a communication plan.

  • Define reporting mechanisms and frequency (e.g., status reports, executive updates).

  • Identify key stakeholders and their information needs.


5. Risk and Issue Management:

  • Establish a risk management process.

  • Create a risk register and update it regularly.

  • Define an issue escalation process.

  • Ensure contingency plans are in place.


6. Change Control:

  • Implement a change management process.

  • Create a change request log to track all changes.

  • Define approval authority for changes (governance board, sponsor, etc.).


7. Performance Monitoring and Quality Assurance:

  • Set up Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor project progress.

  • Establish quality control and assurance processes.

  • Review project performance regularly against baseline objectives.


8. Financial Management:

  • Ensure budget is approved and regularly monitored.

  • Implement financial controls and approval thresholds.

  • Track project expenditure against budget.


9. Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Develop a stakeholder management plan.

  • Engage stakeholders regularly through meetings or updates.

  • Ensure feedback is incorporated into project decisions.


10. Legal and Compliance:

  • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and legal requirements.

  • Review contractual obligations with vendors and partners.

  • Conduct regular audits for compliance adherence.


11. Documentation and Record-Keeping:

  • Establish a document management system.

  • Ensure all key decisions, approvals, and communications are recorded.

  • Maintain a centralized repository for project documentation.


12. Project Closure and Post-Implementation Review:

  • Conduct a project closure meeting to review achievements and lessons learned.

  • Complete a post-implementation review to assess outcomes.

  • Archive project documentation for future reference.

  • Transition any ongoing responsibilities to operations or support teams.


This checklist ensures effective governance across all stages of a project to promote alignment, accountability, and transparency.



#ProjectGovernance #RiskManagement #StakeholderEngagement  #ChangeControl  #ProjectManagement

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