Template Library
Kaizen Event Charter Template
An Excel workbook for scoping a Kaizen event, assembling the team, and tracking the 5-phase timeline and success metrics from Prepare through Sustain.
The Charter tab captures the problem statement, scope and boundaries, success metrics, and team roster before the event starts. The 5-Phase Timeline tab lays out Prepare, Focus, Improve, Confirm, and Sustain with room for dates and an owner for each phase.
What Is Included in the Workbook
| Sheet | Purpose | What Teams Capture |
|---|---|---|
| How-To | Method guidance and orientation | How to complete the charter before the event and track phases during it |
| Charter | Pre-event scoping document | Sponsor, team lead, dates, area, problem statement, in-scope and out-of-scope boundaries, success metrics, and team roster |
| 5-Phase Timeline | Event execution tracker | Key activities, start and end dates, and an owner for each of the five phases |
Key Features Inside the Template
Explicit Scope and Boundaries
Separate in-scope and out-of-scope fields force the team to agree in writing on what the event will not cover, not just what it will.
Baseline-to-Target Metrics Table
Every success metric captures a baseline and target before the event, so results are measured against a real starting point.
Full Team Roster With Availability
Names, roles, departments, and availability are captured together, surfacing scheduling conflicts before the event starts.
Standard 5-Phase Structure
Prepare, Focus, Improve, Confirm, and Sustain are pre-populated with typical activities as a starting point for planning.
Best Use Cases
- Chartering a multi-day Kaizen event before pulling a team off their regular jobs
- Getting sponsor sign-off on scope and success metrics ahead of time
- Planning and tracking phase-by-phase activities during the event week
- Documenting the event for a post-event report or leadership review
How to Use the Template Effectively
- Write the problem statement and get sponsor agreement before recruiting the team.
- Fill in both in-scope and out-of-scope explicitly — ambiguous scope is a common cause of event drift.
- Set baseline and target values for every success metric before the event begins.
- Confirm team member availability for the full event window, not just interest in attending.
- Update the 5-Phase Timeline daily during the event so the Sustain phase isn't skipped under time pressure.
Who Should Use This Template
- Continuous improvement leaders planning and chartering Kaizen events
- Sponsors reviewing and approving event scope before it starts
- Team leads tracking phase progress during a live event
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting the event before scope and boundaries are agreed in writing
- Setting success metrics without a real baseline to measure against
- Rushing or skipping the Sustain phase once the event's scheduled days are over
Related Guides and Tools
Read How to Run a Kaizen Event in 5 Phases
The full method behind each phase this charter's timeline tab is built around.
Read the Kaizen Continuous Improvement Guide
The broader Kaizen philosophy a single chartered event fits within.
Use the Kaizen Savings and ROI Calculator
Turn this charter's success metrics into a documented savings and ROI figure after the event.
Kaizen Event Charter Template Frequently Asked Questions
When should the charter be completed relative to the event?
Before the event starts, ideally a week or more ahead, so the sponsor and team align on scope and success metrics before people are pulled off their regular jobs for it.
Does the charter map to a specific Kaizen event methodology?
The 5-Phase Timeline tab follows the common Prepare, Focus, Improve, Confirm, Sustain structure used across most Kaizen event formats. Adjust the phase names if your organization uses a different but equivalent structure.