---
artifact_id: A35
name: Governance and Decision Authority Record
template_version: "1.0.0"
status: "Template · Active"
category: Governance Framework
authority: "PMBOK8 Guide Governance Performance Domain; Table 2-1 Monitor and Control Project Performance; Assess and Implement Changes; PMO-Guide; GPPP"
source_type: synthesis
file_path: artifacts/governance/A35-governance-decision-authority-record-template.md
---

## [A35] — Governance and Decision Authority Record | Template

> **Usage note:** This is a blank template. Replace every `[FIELD: ...]` placeholder with project-specific content. Static rules, threshold legends, checklist items, and legends are pre-filled and must not be replaced with field placeholders. Remove this usage note before publishing the completed record.

---

## Section 1 — Header / Identification

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Project Name | [FIELD: full project name] |
| Sponsor | [FIELD: name and title of the project sponsor] |
| Project Manager | [FIELD: name of the project manager] |
| Governance Version | [FIELD: version of the governance framework applicable to this project, e.g., GF-2024-v1.0] |
| Document Version | [FIELD: e.g., 1.0] |
| Status | [FIELD: select from Draft / Active / Under Review / Superseded] |
| Date | [FIELD: date this record was created or last updated, YYYY-MM-DD] |
| Linked Artifacts | A04 — Stakeholder Register; A06 — Project Management Plan; A12 — Issue and Action Item Log |

---

## Section 2 — Governance Bodies

| Forum / Board | Purpose | Chair | Members | Cadence | Decision Authority | Quorum Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: name of governance body, e.g., Project Steering Committee] | [FIELD: brief statement of purpose] | [FIELD: name and title of chair] | [FIELD: list of standing member roles] | [FIELD: e.g., Monthly / Bi-weekly / As required] | [FIELD: brief description of decisions this body is authorised to make] | [FIELD: minimum attendance required for decisions to be valid, e.g., Chair + 2 members] |
| [FIELD: name of governance body] | [FIELD: brief statement of purpose] | [FIELD: name and title of chair] | [FIELD: list of standing member roles] | [FIELD: e.g., Weekly] | [FIELD: brief description of decisions this body is authorised to make] | [FIELD: minimum attendance requirement] |
| [FIELD: name of governance body] | [FIELD: brief statement of purpose] | [FIELD: name and title of chair] | [FIELD: list of standing member roles] | [FIELD: e.g., As required] | [FIELD: brief description of decisions this body is authorised to make] | [FIELD: minimum attendance requirement] |

---

## Section 3 — Decision Categories and Ownership

| Decision Category | Examples | Governing Body | Delegated To | Escalation Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: decision category name, e.g., Scope Change] | [FIELD: examples of decisions in this category] | [FIELD: the body that holds primary authority for this category] | [FIELD: role or individual to whom authority is delegated for routine cases] | [FIELD: escalation path if the governing body cannot reach resolution] |
| [FIELD: decision category name, e.g., Budget Variance] | [FIELD: examples of decisions in this category] | [FIELD: governing body name] | [FIELD: delegated role or individual] | [FIELD: escalation path] |
| [FIELD: decision category name, e.g., Schedule Baseline Change] | [FIELD: examples of decisions in this category] | [FIELD: governing body name] | [FIELD: delegated role or individual] | [FIELD: escalation path] |
| [FIELD: decision category name, e.g., Risk Acceptance] | [FIELD: examples of decisions in this category] | [FIELD: governing body name] | [FIELD: delegated role or individual] | [FIELD: escalation path] |
| [FIELD: decision category name, e.g., Resource Reallocation] | [FIELD: examples of decisions in this category] | [FIELD: governing body name] | [FIELD: delegated role or individual] | [FIELD: escalation path] |

---

## Section 4 — Authority Threshold Matrix

**Threshold Band Reference (static legend):**

| Band | Scope | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| T1 Operational | Local, low-risk, inside plan tolerances | Project manager or designated lead |
| T2 Controlled Change | Material effect on one baseline, within project authority | Sponsor-delegated board or change authority |
| T3 Governance Change | Cross-baseline, major financial / schedule / value impact | Project governing body or sponsor |
| T4 Enterprise / Portfolio | Cross-project, strategic, regulatory, or enterprise impact | Portfolio authority, PMO governance forum, or executive |

**Authority Threshold Matrix:**

| Decision Category | T1 Operational | T2 Controlled Change | T3 Governance Change | T4 Enterprise / Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: decision category from Section 3] | [FIELD: authority or approval required at T1 level] | [FIELD: authority or approval required at T2 level] | [FIELD: authority or approval required at T3 level] | [FIELD: authority or approval required at T4 level] |
| [FIELD: decision category] | [FIELD: T1 authority] | [FIELD: T2 authority] | [FIELD: T3 authority] | [FIELD: T4 authority] |
| [FIELD: decision category] | [FIELD: T1 authority] | [FIELD: T2 authority] | [FIELD: T3 authority] | [FIELD: T4 authority] |
| [FIELD: decision category] | [FIELD: T1 authority] | [FIELD: T2 authority] | [FIELD: T3 authority] | [FIELD: T4 authority] |

---

## Section 5 — Delegated Authority Register

| Role | Name / Position | Category | Delegated Limit | Conditions | Effective Date | Review Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: role title, e.g., Project Manager] | [FIELD: name or position of the individual] | [FIELD: decision category to which the delegation applies] | [FIELD: maximum authority delegated, e.g., up to $25,000 or T2 decisions] | [FIELD: conditions or constraints that apply to this delegation] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] |
| [FIELD: role title] | [FIELD: name or position] | [FIELD: decision category] | [FIELD: delegated limit] | [FIELD: conditions] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] |
| [FIELD: role title] | [FIELD: name or position] | [FIELD: decision category] | [FIELD: delegated limit] | [FIELD: conditions] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] |

---

## Section 6 — Governance Calendar

| Forum | Cadence | Next Scheduled | Agenda Standing Items | Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: governance body name from Section 2] | [FIELD: e.g., Monthly, first Tuesday] | [FIELD: next scheduled date, YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: list of standing agenda items] | [FIELD: expected output, e.g., decision minutes, approved change log] |
| [FIELD: governance body name] | [FIELD: cadence] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: standing agenda items] | [FIELD: expected output] |
| [FIELD: governance body name] | [FIELD: cadence] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: standing agenda items] | [FIELD: expected output] |

---

## Section 7 — Escalation Log

| Escalation ID | Date | Issue / Decision | From | To | Decision | Date Resolved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [FIELD: unique escalation identifier, e.g., ESC-001] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: brief description of the issue or decision requiring escalation] | [FIELD: role or body that initiated the escalation] | [FIELD: role or body to which it was escalated] | [FIELD: outcome of the escalation] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD or Pending] |
| [FIELD: unique escalation identifier] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: brief description] | [FIELD: from role/body] | [FIELD: to role/body] | [FIELD: outcome] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD or Pending] |
| [FIELD: unique escalation identifier] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD] | [FIELD: brief description] | [FIELD: from role/body] | [FIELD: to role/body] | [FIELD: outcome] | [FIELD: YYYY-MM-DD or Pending] |

---

## Section 8 — Waste Test

The following checklist confirms that this record adds clear value and avoids unnecessary overhead:

- [ ] Every governance body listed in Section 2 has a distinct, non-overlapping purpose — no redundant forums exist.
- [ ] Decision categories in Section 3 cover all material decision types for this project without creating ambiguity between categories.
- [ ] The Authority Threshold Matrix has been reviewed by the sponsor and all governing body chairs and reflects their actual authority.
- [ ] Delegated authorities in Section 5 are explicit and time-bound — no open-ended or informal delegations are recorded.
- [ ] The Governance Calendar reflects meetings that are actually scheduled and will be held, not aspirational cadences.
- [ ] The Escalation Log is updated in real time — not retrospectively reconstructed at project close.
- [ ] This record has been socialised with all parties named as authority holders to confirm their agreement with the documented boundaries.

---

## Change Log

| Version | Date | Author / Event | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | 2026-05-31 | Phase B2 Batch C | Initial template |

---

*Template for: Governance and Decision Authority Record*
*Authority: PMBOK8 Guide Governance Performance Domain; Table 2-1 Monitor and Control Project Performance; Assess and Implement Changes; PMO-Guide; GPPP*
*See definition file: artifacts/governance/A35-governance-decision-authority-record-template.md*
