Table of Contents
Why is the Project Charter Considered the Most Critical Deliverable in the Define Stage?
Prepare for your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt exam by mastering the Define phase. Learn the key components and importance of a clear project charter, including goals and scope, which is the primary deliverable for any successful DMAIC project.
Question
In the Define phase, what is a key deliverable?
A. Measurement system accuracy
B. A clear project charter including goals and scope
C. Standard deviation values for variation
D. Regression model outputs
Answer
B. A clear project charter including goals and scope
Explanation
The Define phase produces the charter and project scope. A clear project charter that includes the project’s goals and scope is the most critical deliverable of the Define phase in the DMAIC framework.
The Project Charter
The project charter serves as the formal authorization for a Six Sigma project. It is a foundational document that provides a clear and concise overview of the project, ensuring alignment among stakeholders before significant resources are committed. It acts as a contract between the project team and organizational leadership.
Key Components of a Project Charter:
- Problem Statement: A specific, measurable description of the problem, including the pain point and its impact on the business.
- Business Case: This section justifies the project by explaining why it is important to the organization. It often links the project to strategic objectives and quantifies the financial or operational impact (e.g., cost savings, revenue increase, customer satisfaction).
- Goal Statement: The goal must be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). It defines the target for improvement and the metric that will be used to measure success.
- Project Scope: This clearly defines the boundaries of the project, specifying what processes, departments, and locations are included and, just as importantly, what is excluded. This prevents “scope creep,” where a project expands beyond its original objectives.
- Team Roles and Responsibilities: It identifies the project sponsor, champion, team leader (often the Green or Black Belt), and team members.
- Timeline (Milestones): A high-level schedule outlines the expected completion dates for each phase of the DMAIC process.
Explanation of Incorrect Options
The other options provided relate to different phases of the DMAIC cycle:
A. Measurement system accuracy: This is a key activity of the Measure phase. A Measurement System Analysis (MSA) is conducted to ensure that the data being collected is reliable and accurate before analysis begins.
C. Standard deviation values for variation: Calculating metrics like standard deviation is part of the Measure phase to establish a baseline of process performance and variation. It is further used in the Analyze phase to understand process capability.
D. Regression model outputs: Regression analysis is a statistical tool used in the Analyze phase to identify and confirm the mathematical relationship between process inputs and outputs, helping to pinpoint root causes.
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