In which stage of the Six Sigma DMAIC process is a charter established?

The establishment of a charter occurs in the Define stage of the Six Sigma DMAIC process. This stage is critical as it sets the foundation for the entire improvement project. The charter outlines the project goals, scope, team members, timelines, and the problem to be addressed. By clearly defining these elements, the charter helps to ensure that everyone involved has a shared understanding of the project objectives and constraints.

Creating a charter in the Define stage guides the project team in their efforts and helps in aligning the project's focus with the organization's goals. It is an essential step in setting expectations and serves as a reference point throughout the entire DMAIC process. Without a well-defined charter, projects can lack direction, leading to miscommunication and potentially wasted resources.