The EPD Purpose Statement — The 1-Page Document That Aligns Every Decision
By Ben Webb – Project Manager | Creator of Enabling Project Delivery
“If your team can’t explain the project’s purpose in one sentence, they’re not delivering — they’re guessing.”
The most common cause of delivery failure isn’t delay, cost, or conflict.
It’s misalignment.
Different teams. Different definitions of success. Different assumptions about what matters.
And by the time the contradictions surface, it’s too late.
That’s why every project run under Enabling Project Delivery (EPD) starts with a 1-page Purpose Statement — a brutally clear definition of what the project is, why it exists, what success looks like, and what trade-offs are on the table.
What the Purpose Statement Isn’t
It’s not a fluffy vision document
It’s not a 10-page brief from the sponsor
It’s not a Gantt chart or risk register
It’s a strategic clarity document designed to:
✅ Align teams before work begins
✅ Anchor every major decision
✅ Protect against scope drift and stakeholder noise
✅ Provide traceability when conflicts arise
✅ Create a shared language for success
Why This Document Is Non-Negotiable in EPD
You can’t:
Set priorities
Make trade-offs
Empower your team
Manage stakeholders
Track decisions
Control scope
…if you’re not working from a shared, agreed definition of purpose.
This is the difference between delivering outcomes and managing activity.
What Goes in an EPD Purpose Statement
Here’s the 1-page structure. No jargon. No templates. Just clarity.
1. The Purpose (1–2 sentences)
“Why does this project exist?”
Answer plainly, with verbs and outcomes.
Bad:
“To improve our platform and user experience.”
Good:
“To deliver a secure, compliant upgrade of our digital platform that increases self-service usage by 30% within 12 months.”
2. Definition of Success
“How will we know if this was successful?”
Quantitative or qualitative — but specific.
Tie it to stakeholder, business, user, or delivery impact.
3. Primary Constraints
“What trade-offs are acceptable — and what aren’t?”
Use clear priorities:
Time over quality
Scope over cost
Simplicity over flexibility
This becomes the filter for every future debate.
4. Non-Negotiables
“What must this project protect or preserve?”
Examples:
“Must meet ISO compliance”
“Must launch before June 30 due to funding conditions”
“Must integrate with existing systems — no vendor lock-in”
5. Key Stakeholders (and Their Roles)
Not a list of names. A map of who matters and why:
NameRoleInfluenceRisk ExposureRequired Involvement
6. Owner of the Purpose
“Who is accountable for holding this clarity through delivery?”
This is often the project lead — but it must be named.
What It Looks Like in Practice
The Purpose Statement becomes:
The first document in the project folder
The preamble to every kickoff
A standing item in early governance meetings
The reference point for major design or scope changes
The document every senior stakeholder signs off on
Why It Works
Because in high-pressure delivery environments:
Priorities shift
Sponsors change
Teams rotate
Noise increases
This one page protects the signal.
What It Prevents
Conflicting definitions of “done”
Decision paralysis
Political interference
Rework due to misinterpretation
Backdoor scope creep
The “we thought you meant…” problem
What It Enables
Aligned planning
Faster trade-offs
Clear escalation
Stakeholder trust
More confident teams
A Quick Test
Ask three people on your project:
“What is this project’s purpose?”
If you get three different answers, you’re already off course.
The Purpose Statement is your way back.
Coming Up Next
Toolkit Post: The EPD Escalation Pathway — How to Prevent Issues From Dying in Email Threads
We’ll cover how to structure clear, non-political, and high-velocity escalation — so your project never stalls in silence.
About the Author
Ben Webb is an award-winning project manager and project leadership strategist, known for delivering clarity, structure, and results in high-stakes environments. He’s the creator of Enabling Project Delivery (EPD) — a values-led, behaviour-driven approach to modern project delivery.
📝 More insights at: www.benwebb.au
🎙️ Podcast & videos: YouTube @TheProjectPod
📱 Follow on X (Twitter): @BenWebbpm