Terms of reference: Difference between revisions

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

{{refimprove|date=June 2016}}

'''Terms of reference''' ('''TOR''') define the purpose and structures of a [[project]], [[committee]], [[meeting]], [[negotiation]], or any similar collection of people who have agreed to work together to accomplish a shared [[goal]].<ref name="PMBOK">{{cite book|last1=ANSI|title=PMBOK Guide, 5th Ed.|date=2013|publisher=Project Management Institute|___location=Newtown Square, PA|isbn=978-1-935589-67-9|page=Section 4|edition=5th}}</ref><ref>

{{cite book

| last1 = Love

Line 9 ⟶ 10:

| volume = 24

| publisher = SAGE

| publication-date = 1991

| page = 47

| isbn = 9780803932012

| accessdateaccess-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> Although the terms of reference of a project are often referred to{{by whom|date=June 2016}} as the [[project charter]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.project-management-basics.com/project_management/project_management_043_Terms_of_Reference.shtml|title=Definition: Terms of Reference|date=2017}}</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.

| publication-date = 2013

| section = 4

| isbn = 978-1-935589-67-9

}}

</ref>

Terms of reference show how the object 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 factor]]sfactors/risks and constraints are fundamental. They aredefine very important for project proposals.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}the:

Creating detailed terms of reference is critical,{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} as they define the:

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

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

* resource, financial and quality [[plan]]splans (i.e. how it will be achieved)

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

TORs shouldcould 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>{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

* success factors, risks and constraints.

</ref> Although the terms of reference of a project are oftensometimes referred to{{by whom|date=June 2016}} 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|title=Definition: Terms of Reference|date=2017}}</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 implementing the remaining project [[deliverable]]s.

This phrase "terms of reference" often refers to the task(s) assigned to a consultant or adviser. Such a consultant or adviser may be engaged via a contract with general terms of engagement that also incorporate 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==

Line 46 ⟶ 39:

* [[Risk management]]

* [[Quality management]]

* [[Business analysis]]

==References==