Terms of reference: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Defined purpose and structure of a project}}

{{unreferenced|date=January 2014}}

'''Terms of reference''' describe the purpose and structure of a [[project]], [[committee]], [[meeting]], [[negotiation]], or any similar collection of people who have agreed to work together to accomplish a shared goal. The terms of reference of a project are often referred to as the [[project charter]].

'''Terms of reference''' describe('''TOR''') define the purpose and structurestructures of a [[project]], [[committee]], [[meeting]], [[negotiation]], or any similar collection of people who have agreed to work together to accomplish a shared goal.<ref Thename="PMBOK">{{cite termsbook|last1=ANSI|title=PMBOK ofGuide, reference5th ofEd.|date=2013|publisher=Project aManagement projectInstitute|___location=Newtown areSquare, oftenPA|isbn=978-1-935589-67-9|page=Section referred to as the [[project charter]].4|edition=5th}}</ref><ref>

Terms of reference show how the scope will be defined, developed, and verified. They should also provide a documented basis for making future decisions and for confirming or developing a common understanding of the scope among stakeholders. In order to meet these [[:wikt:criterion|criteria]], success factors/risks and restraints should be fundamental keys. Very important for project proposals.

{{cite book

| last1 = Love

| first1 = Arnold J.

| title = Internal Evaluation: Building Organizations from Within

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Wz4zycwdrm4C

| series = Applied Social Research Methods

| volume = 24

| publisher = SAGE

| date = 1991

| page = 47

| isbn = 9780803932012

| access-date = 2016-06-26

| quote = The diagnosis phase should end with the drafting of a Terms of Reference (TOR). The TOR is a detailed written description of the specifications for the evaluation.

}}

</ref>

Terms of reference show how the scopeobject in question will be defined, developed, and verified. They should also provide a documented basis for making future decisions and for confirming or developing a common understanding of the scope among [[Stakeholder (project)|stakeholders]]. In order to meet these [[:wikt:criterion|criteria]], success factors/risks and restraintsconstraints should beare fundamental keys. VeryThey importantdefine for project proposals.the:

Creating detailed terms of reference is critical, as they define the:

* Visionvision, objectives, scope and deliverables (i.e. what has to be achieved)

* Stakeholdersstakeholders, roles and responsibilities (i.e. who will take part in it)

* Resourceresource, financial and quality plans (i.e. how it will be achieved)

* [[Workwork breakdown structure]] and schedule (i.e. when it will be achieved)

TORs could include:<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pmtips.net/blog-new/terms-reference|title=What is a Terms of Reference?|work=pmtips|access-date=2017-06-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

They should include:

* Successsuccess factors/, risks and restraintsconstraints.

Although the terms of reference of a project are sometimes referred to as the [[project charter]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017|title=Definition: Terms of Reference|url=http://www.project-management-basics.com/project_management/project_management_043_Terms_of_Reference.shtml}}</ref> there are significant differences between the two. This article describes a TOR containing detailed definitions, while a project charter has high-level requirements, assumptions, constraints and descriptions as well as a budget summary without detail, and a milestone-only schedule.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Project Management Institute|title=A Guide To The Project Management Body Of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)|publisher=Project Management Institute, Inc.|isbn=978-1-935589-67-9|date=2013|section=4}}

</ref>

==Project life -cycle==

The "terms of reference" are created during the earlier stages of [[project management]] by the founders of the project in question, immediately after the approval of a project [[business case]]. They are documented by the [[project manager]] and presented to the project sponsor or sponsors for approval. Once the terms have been approved, the members of the project team have a clear definition of the scope of the project. They will then be ready to progress with the creation ofimplementing the remaining project [[deliverable]]s.

This phrase is"terms oftenof usedreference" whenoften describingrefers to the task that has been(s) assigned to a consultant or advisoradviser. AsSuch such, thea consultant or advisoradviser may be engaged via a contract with general terms of engagement that also incorporatesincorporate the terms of reference that specifically describe the consultant's task.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Framework Agreement (s) Consulting Services |url=https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/2c9d82ff5550163e3ae7552e5f8cbf0e-0290032021/original/SPD-RFP-FA-Consulting-Services-financial-proposals-invited-at-Primary-Procurement-Sept2021.docx}}</ref>

==See also==

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* [[Risk management]]

* [[Quality management]]

* [[Business Analysis]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Project management]]