The final step in defining your problem is to document the scope, goals, resources, and timeline of your project. This project charter is an essential tool for DMAIC, as it helps you align your team, stakeholders, and sponsors on the purpose and direction of your project. To create a project charter, you should answer questions such as what the problem statement is that describes the gap between the current and desired state, what the goal statement is that quantifies the expected improvement and target date, what the benefits and impacts of the project are for customers, the business, and employees, what the scope and boundaries of the project are including process, product or service family, start and end points, who the team members, sponsors, and stakeholders of the project are with their roles and responsibilities. Additionally, it is important to consider assumptions, risks, and constraints that may affect the project. By aligning with Lean Manufacturing principles during this Define phase of DMAIC projects you can ensure that you are focusing on solving a real problem that matters to customers and your business. Furthermore, this approach can help set a clear and realistic scope as well as gain support and commitment from team members and stakeholders.