How do you define the scope and goals of a Lean Six Sigma project charter?

1 Identify the problem

The first step is to identify the problem that you want to solve with your project. This should be a specific and measurable issue that affects the quality, cost, or delivery of your process. You can use data, customer feedback, or benchmarking to quantify the problem and its impact. You should also state the root cause of the problem, or the underlying factor that contributes to the issue.

2 Define the goal

The next step is to define the goal of your project, or the desired outcome that you want to achieve. This should be a SMART goal, meaning that it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. You should also indicate how the goal aligns with the strategic objectives of your organization and the needs of your customers. You can use a metric, such as defect rate, cycle time, or customer satisfaction, to measure the progress and success of your project.

3 Scope the project

The third step is to scope the project, or the boundaries and limitations of your project. This includes defining the scope statement, which describes what is in and out of the project, and the scope creep, which refers to the changes or additions that may occur during the project. You should also identify the key deliverables, or the outputs or results that your project will produce. You should be realistic and clear about the scope of your project to avoid confusion and conflicts.

4 Assign the roles

The fourth step is to assign the roles and responsibilities of your project team and stakeholders. This includes defining the project sponsor, who is the senior leader who supports and approves the project, the project leader, who is the person who leads and manages the project, and the project team, who are the people who execute the project tasks. You should also identify the key stakeholders, who are the people who are affected by or have an interest in the project, and their expectations and requirements.

5 Plan the timeline

The fifth step is to plan the timeline and milestones of your project. This includes defining the start and end dates of your project, and the duration and sequence of each phase and task. You should also identify the critical path, which is the shortest possible time to complete the project, and the risks and contingencies, which are the potential problems and solutions that may arise during the project. You should use a Gantt chart, a PERT chart, or a similar tool to visualize and track your project schedule.

6 Estimate the budget

The final step is to estimate the budget and resources of your project. This includes defining the cost and benefit analysis, which compares the expected costs and benefits of your project, and the return on investment, which measures the financial value of your project. You should also identify the sources and allocation of funds, materials, equipment, and personnel for your project. You should use a spreadsheet, a budget template, or a similar tool to calculate and monitor your project expenses.