Six Sigma Training and Certification

The three important Six Sigma certifications are:

1. Six Sigma Green Belt – first level in Six Sigma certification
2. Six Sigma Black Belt – second level in Six Sigma certification
3. Master Black Belt – Master’s certification in Six Sigma methodology

The Six Sigma skills of an employee who has been trained merely on its improvement methodology will be less than that of a Black Belt or Master Black Belt.  Execution of Six Sigma process at an organizational level is performed by the Green Belt employee.  Green Belts are mostly Six Sigma team leaders who are in charge of implementing process improvement projects (DMAIC or DFSS) within the organization.  Black Belts are those who have received four weeks of Six Sigma training and have mastered Six Sigma skills and methodologies.  They would be required to complete project(s) and an exam.  Black Belts coach the Green Belts.

Master Black Belts, who are Quality experts in Six Sigma, play a vital role of implementing strategies within an organization.  They train and mentor Green Belts and Black Belts, select and prioritize high-end projects, integrate Six Sigma improvements, and develop, maintain, and revise training materials of Six Sigma.  They should be qualified to teach Six Sigma methodologies, tools, and applications.  They should also serve as a resource for statistical process control utilization.

A Yellow Belt is one who has basic knowledge of Six Sigma, but cannot lead projects.  He often develops process maps to assist Six Sigma projects.  Yellow Belts use the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) methodology, also called the Deming Wheel, to identify and run smaller process improvement projects.  These Yellow Belt projects often reach the Green Belt or Black Belt stage where DMAIC methodology is utilized.

You must apply to Six Sigma courses offered by companies in order to obtain one or more of Six Sigma certifications.  When it comes to choice between traditional learning and e-Learning, the latter occupies the first position due to the following basic reasons:

1. Lower costs  –  Online learning can be accomplished with lower costs, as transportation costs are cut down.  Students can be trained online irrespective of their location.
2. Multimedia exposure  –  Online sessions combine teaching with interactive quizzes, exercises, and simulations.  This gives a hands-on multimedia exposure for students.
3. Content-on-demand  -  Students can control the pace of learning.  They can skip familiar chapters and concentrate more on difficult ones.  Lessons can be revisited any number of times as required.

Employees engaged in process improvement should have extensive product knowledge, and learning Six Sigma helps them achieve accelerated development of processes, and of course, their career!