This document introduces the SEMAT (Software Engineering Method and Theory) framework for software engineering. It describes the goals of SEMAT as improving quality, using a common framework, and building best practices. SEMAT's kernel captures the essence of software engineering and forms a map of the context. It evaluates projects across three dimensions: customer, system, and endeavor. Each dimension contains "alphas" or essential elements that are assessed for progress. The document defines the alphas across the three dimensions and their possible states to provide a standardized way to evaluate projects.