A review of how to compile the various Define Phase tools for building a project charter for a typical Six Sigma DMAIC project.

1. Section & Lesson #:
Pre-Requisite Lessons:
Complex Tools + Clear Teaching = Powerful Results
Building a Project Charter
Six Sigma-Define – Lesson 9
A review of how to compile the various Define Phase tools for building a
project charter for a typical Six Sigma DMAIC project.
Six Sigma-Define #02 – Building a Problem Statement
Six Sigma-Define #03 – Defining the Project Scope
Six Sigma-Define #04 – Building a Project Team
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means
(electronic, mechanical, photographic, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.

2. Project Charter Defined
o What is a project charter?
• It’s typically a one-page document summarizing the answers to the Define phase questions.
o What is the purpose of the project charter?
• To validate the need for the project and the team who will be leading it.
• To acquire and sustain Sponsor approval for the project .
o What elements should or shouldn’t be in a project charter?
• Some organizations require more elements for the project charter (e.g., project Y, Finance Leader,
pre-assessment details like DPU or DPMO, etc.). Keep it simple for your audience.
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.
Question Asked How It’s Answered Include in Charter?
What is the background context for the
business area?
Background Statement As needed
What are the symptoms (pain-points) being
felt by the business area?
Problem Statement Required
What is included or excluded? Project Scope Required
What are the potential benefits? Pre-assessment of savings As needed
How does the problem align to the business? CTQ Drilldown As needed
Who is on the team? List of core team members Required
What is the plan for attacking the problem? Project Strategy As needed
What is the process for the targeted area? SIPOC and/or Process Map No (add to appendix)
What are the key terms used in the business? Operational Definitions No (add to appendix)

3. Project Charter Examples
o Below are some examples of project charters:
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.
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4. Practical Application
o Identify at least 2 prior projects or issues you’ve worked in your organization.
• For each project or issue, build a project charter.
 Be sure to include the most critical elements such as the problem statement, scope, and team.
 Consider including a background statement, description of expected financial savings, project strategy, or
how the project aligns to the business CTQs (i.e., critical to quality items on the CTQ Drilldown).
• Review your project charter and eliminate any unnecessary or irrelevant content.
 If you or your team had a charter like these before beginning the project, how would it have affected the
outcome of the project (e.g., faster execution, faster team buy-in, improved communication, etc.)?
Copyright © 2011-2019 by Matthew J. Hansen. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photographic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission in writing by the author and/or publisher.
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