Everything You Need to Know About Six Sigma Certifications: A U.S. News Guide

The Six Sigma methodology makes use of knowledge to enhance processes and efficiency in a variety of industries.

In accordance to Lee Campe, president and proprietor of consulting service Efficiency Excellence Inc., this system is primarily “about fixing issues by: 1. Proving they exist, 2. Figuring out the foundation trigger and three. Making them keep mounted.”

Six Sigma-certified professionals can use statistical evaluation to enhance effectivity and cut back waste. Consequently, this system can save organizations cash, enhance morale and efficiency, and elevate product high quality.

Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at what Six Sigma is and what certifications you may earn.

Six Sigma, which Motorola created within the Nineteen Eighties and Basic Electrical adopted within the Nineties, refers to the bell curve in statistics. One customary deviation from the imply, or the very best a part of the bell curve, is called “sigma.” If a course of falls inside three customary deviations above or beneath the imply, the defect charges are low. These customary deviations add up to six, or six sigmas, of acceptable defect charges.

Whereas Six Sigma was initially developed to discover course of variations, or inconsistencies, similar to put on and tear on a machine that impacts product high quality, Six Sigma customers discovered that the methodology might additionally apply to bettering areas like profitability.

Certification holders, for instance, can acquire knowledge, such because the variety of system outages or errors in a newscast. Different Six Sigma initiatives can embody making an attempt to cut back transportation prices or buyer complaints and even correcting errors in payroll processes.

“Whether or not needing to enhance enterprise processes to higher serve buyer wants, tackle a problem impacting the morale of the workforce or cut back prices, Lean Six Sigma instruments and strategies might be utilized,” says Mike Ungar, govt coach with enterprise teaching supplier FocalPoint and former competency supervisor for progress occupation at Michelin.

DMAIC and DMADV are completely different methods for tackling initiatives below the Six Sigma philosophy. They’re the “backbones of Lean Six Sigma,” Ungar says. “They’re a scientific strategy to problem-solving and design.”

DMAIC is an acronym for outline, measure, analyze, enhance and management. “In a DMAIC drawback, there’s an current course of wherein to implement the recognized enhancements after which measure the outcomes,” Ungar explains.

In the meantime, DMADV stands for outline, measure, analyze, design and confirm. “In a DMADV drawback, the method doesn’t exist, so the brand new course of is designed and trialed and verified to guarantee it meets the goals of the undertaking,” Ungar says.

Lean Six Sigma combines the Six Sigma and Lean methodologies. Historically, Six Sigma calls on black belt engineers to use statistics to discover options to course of issues, Ungar says. The Lean philosophy, then again, emphasizes groups working collectively to discover methods to cut back waste in a specific course of.

Some certifying organizations contemplate Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma interchangeable phrases. Others might need separate Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma belt certification tracks. The Council for Six Sigma Certification, for instance, recommends Six Sigma coaching for “most individuals” and Lean Six Sigma for navy and public sector staff.

When you’re contemplating between Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma certifications, analysis the course content material to resolve which is finest for you.

Six Sigma certification is split into six ranges, every indicating knowledgeable’s abilities, expertise, information of Six Sigma ideas and function in a undertaking. The degrees, which correspond to martial arts belts, begin with white and advance to grasp black belt. There aren’t any stipulations, aside from the grasp black belt, so you can begin at whichever stage feels finest suited to your background.

The white belt focuses on the basics of the Six Sigma strategy. White belts come to perceive staff members’ roles and the way these members can enhance an organization’s effectivity. They study in regards to the DMAIC course of and associated instruments and usually focus on waste discount.

Relying on this system, this stage might require up to eight hours of lessons and an examination.

The Six Sigma yellow belt builds on the fundamentals of the white belt. Yellow belts perceive how to use Six Sigma of their workplaces, they usually may go to enhance processes or create course of maps, which define parameters and obligatory steps in a course of.

Additionally they perceive the ideas behind data assortment. Yellow belts could also be subject material specialists, and whereas they could not lead a staff, they’ll play a supporting function to inexperienced or black belt undertaking leaders.

The yellow belt requires extra of a time funding than the white belt, and programs common round 20 hours, plus an examination.

The Six Sigma inexperienced belt is designed for professionals charged with creating, figuring out or bettering processes. They grasp the ins-and-outs of not solely Lean Six Sigma ideas but additionally DMAIC, they usually can lead groups on smaller-scale initiatives or help black belt leaders.

Inexperienced belts’ initiatives might give attention to high quality enchancment, similar to stopping errors, lowering waste, and amassing and analyzing knowledge. They might dedicate 25% to 50% of their time to Six Sigma initiatives.

This stage of certification, which may require two to 5 weeks of programs and an examination, could also be a sensible choice for midlevel managers or professionals who work in fields similar to high quality assurance, undertaking administration, monetary administration, structural or manufacturing engineering, or well being care administration.

In contrast to inexperienced belts, Six Sigma black belts are specialists, able to main or coaching groups of inexperienced, yellow or white belts. For these leaders, managing Six Sigma initiatives is their full-time job. They might lead difficult initiatives, together with organizationwide modifications and efforts to enhance high quality, productiveness and income.

Black belts additionally want an intensive understanding of statistical evaluation and course of enchancment. As well as, as a result of their tasks prolong to mentorship and assigning roles to staff members, they need to have top-notch management and folks abilities.

Six Sigma black belt certification coaching tends to final a minimum of 4 weeks, in accordance to Campe. The third and fourth weeks give attention to organization-specific data and initiatives. Some applications, nonetheless, provide up to 16 weeks of coaching. Black belts additionally want to take an examination.

On the high of the Six Sigma hierarchy, a grasp black belt mentors Six Sigma undertaking staff members and black and inexperienced belts. Grasp black belts, who will need to have a minimum of 5 years of Six Sigma black belt expertise, are additionally usually seen as inner consultants; they resolve issues and supply steering on technological points.

Grasp black belts information technique, establish initiatives, and talk with senior or executive-level staff. Additionally they train Lean Six Sigma ideas to others and will develop or replace coaching data.

Relying on this system, you can earn a grasp black belt certification in about seven weeks. You additionally want to take an examination.

Changing into Six Sigma-certified offers you instruments to deal with advanced issues in lots of industries. In accordance to Campe, studying about Lean Six Sigma, and DMAIC specifically, prepares you to tackle three roles: detective, physician and mechanic. You can examine, diagnose and repair issues.

Staff with these abilities can provoke and full initiatives that not solely enhance high quality and effectivity but additionally have an effect on the underside line.

Drawback-solving, Ungar says, is a discovered talent, and Lean Six Sigma inexperienced and black belt certification applications can train you ways to successfully resolve issues.

If your organization values Six Sigma, incomes a certification and making use of Six Sigma ideas can increase your profile. Professionals who can present tangible outcomes from their initiatives might entice the eye of management, Campe says. You can also develop intensive information about your group, and you can construct a popularity as an skilled.

Lean Six Sigma certification has two essential advantages for organizations, in accordance to Ungar: The methodology goals to create a “tradition of steady enchancment” and provides design and course of instruments that may assist a company obtain higher outcomes.

As a instrument for maximizing effectivity and high quality, the Six Sigma methodology may give firms an edge. In a case research by ASQ – which supplies Six Sigma-related coaching, certification and sources – Crown Gear Corp. saved greater than $1 million after combining Six Sigma and Lean methods. The corporate’s financial savings offset the price of coaching a dozen inexperienced belts.

The fee for Six Sigma certifications is determined by which group you’re licensed by way of, whether or not you obtain coaching or full a undertaking earlier than taking an examination, and the belt stage.

White belt certification, for instance, might be free or, with coaching, might value up to $599. Yellow belt certification can vary from $99 to $1,099. These pursuing inexperienced belts pays simply over $150 for the first certification or $450 with the addition of a undertaking. You may take coursework for up to 10 weeks and pay between $2,200 and $3,200.

Lean Six Sigma black belt and grasp black belt certifications can require extra time or cash. Black belt certification choices range based mostly on the necessities of the physique offering the examination, coaching and undertaking however might value as little as $229 for the first certification. Some black belt certifications, nonetheless, can value a couple of thousand {dollars}, with a peak of round $7,900.

Grasp black belt certifications vary between $650 and about $5,000.

Salaries for professionals with a Lean Six Sigma certification might enhance based mostly on the belt stage. In accordance to The Council for Six Sigma Certification, white belts earn a median annual wage of $42,000 whereas the common grasp black belt would possibly earn as a lot as $135,000.

To resolve whether or not a Six Sigma belt is value pursuing, you must take into consideration whether or not your business values this sort of certification and whether or not the abilities you’d study would profit you in your profession.

When you’re desirous about this certification and others, such because the Mission Administration Skilled certification, contemplate your finish objective. A Six Sigma certification signifies that you should utilize knowledge to resolve issues, clean out defects in processes and cut back waste. A PMP certification, then again, offers you instruments to work below a set deadline with a objective of efficiently implementing and finishing a undertaking.

As you’re evaluating certifications suppliers, Campe advises trying on the power of the model, teacher and curriculum.

Additionally contemplate finishing a undertaking as a part of your certification. Whether or not a undertaking is private – Campe makes use of weight reduction for example – or skilled, it could possibly be a possibility to show your potential to apply Lean Six Sigma ideas. These initiatives can showcase your management and analytical abilities, the methods you’ve mastered, and the way you articulate potential monetary advantages.

No matter your area, having problem-solving abilities that apply to areas similar to high quality enchancment could also be useful. You can use knowledge to articulate why an answer is required and converse in cost-benefit phrases. Some fields now count on their current or potential staff to have this certification, specialists say.

Job candidates with out Six Sigma on their resumes can search certification as soon as they’re employed. In accordance to Campe, analysis has indicated that 85% of Lean Six Sigma certification occurs by way of employers. The remaining 15% is offered by universities and on-line providers.

When you resolve certification is the proper alternative for you, Ungar recommends pursuing certification in class, going by way of your employer as a second alternative or a reputable public program when you’re employed as a 3rd possibility.