Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma Certification: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Six Sigma is a quality management program that seeks to minimize or eliminate defects or errors in products and business services. Originally developed to enhance manufacturing processes, the tools and techniques used in Six Sigma are now held industry-agnostic, which means they have been successfully used in such sectors as aeronautics, electronics, pharmaceuticals, retail, and more.

The sigma part of Six Sigma applies to the data analysis portion of the process. Following Six Sigma methods, a team gathers and analyzes data about product manufacture or service creation/delivery to discover the standard deviation (sigma) between the mean and the nearest customer specification limit. The aim is to limit defects or errors to a peak of 3.4 per million opportunities.

Organizations that have used Six Sigma processes may also view improved customer service, shorter cycle times, and better compliance with management and business development standardization. However, the difficulties of Six Sigma make its processes somewhat challenging to implement, and it typically takes months or years before all appropriate employees are on board, following the procedures closely and consistently enough to obtain such benefits and value.

Overview of Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma Certifications

Unlike most IT-related certifications, Six Sigma certifications are available from several various certification bodies, such as the American Society of Quality (ASQ), iSQI Lean Six Sigma Academy (LSSA) and the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC). That indicates either the individual seeking certification or the individual's business must research and analyze programs before committing to one in particular.

Each certification body offers similar no same Six Sigma certification levels, although the following are mostly regular across programs:

• Yellow Belt: This person is a project team member who helps project improvements.

• Green Belt: This person also supports project improvements, helps with statistical analysis, and may manage projects in a part-time capacity.

• Black Belt: This person leads projects usually full time and often trains, coaches, and manages project members.

• Master Black Belt: This person develops project metrics and plans, works as an organization's go-to Six Sigma person, and trains and mentors Black Belts and Green Belts.

Unlike some IT certifications, Six Sigma certifications do not form certification steps. That means a Yellow Belt is not a requirement to a Green Belt, and you do not require a Green Belt to become a Black Belt, and so forth.

ASQ Six Sigma Certifications

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification program has 18 certifications. It covers the Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, and Master Black Belt credentials, along with 14 others that are particular to job roles.

Candidates for ASQ certifications can save money by becoming a member, which costs $29 to $159 per year, depending on whether you register at the Student, Associate, or Full level.

IASSC Lean Six Sigma Certifications

IASSC concentrates on Lean Six Sigma, which connects lean manufacturing processes and systems within the Six Sigma structure. IASSC exams are based on topics in the IASSC Globally Accepted Lean Six Sigma Body of Knowledge.

The IASSC Lean Six Sigma certification curriculum has only three but reliable certifications: Certified Yellow Belt, Certified Green Belt, and Certified Black Belt.

IASSC stands out in the Six Sigma track because the organization does not offer training, and it does not need work experience or hands-on projects as an element of its certification specifications. Candidates must pass a written exam.

The cost of IASSC certification exams is $395 for the Certified Black Belt, $295 for the Certified Green Belt, and $195 for the Certified Yellow Belt.

iSQI LSSA Lean Six Sigma Certifications

Six Sigma is a method for process improvement by using analytical and statistical techniques. Six Sigma is based on the Continuous Improvement Maturity Model (CIMM), which is used for developing world-class products. Lean in this connection means that several processes are considered comprehensively, enabling holistic process optimization.

The internationally recognized LSSA Lean Six Sigma certifications provide four levels of specialization in the fields of process improvement, quality management, and product development. These are called the Yellow Belt, Orange Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt.

There are no particular requirements or expected pre-certifications. All four LSSA certificates can be obtained independently of one another by taking an exam.

The cost of iSQI LSSA certification exams is $568 for the Certified Black Belt, $425 for the Certified Green Belt, and $240 for the Certified Yellow Belt.

Becoming Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma Certified

To achieve a Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma certification, a candidate should require to meet experience elements, pass a written certification exam, and demonstrate hands-on competency. Most of the different certification bodies offer training which is suggested but not typically required as part of a certification package, which also covers training materials and written exam costs. Exams are conducted by Pearson VUE, Prometric, or the certification bodies at specialized conferences and educational events.

Written exams are usually multiple-choice and increase in allotted time and stress at each certification level. Where a Yellow Belt written exam may take 90 minutes, a Black Belt exam may need four hours. The hands-on portion of certification testing means typically making one or more quality projects with signed affidavits.

Read: REASONS WHY LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFICATION IS DESIRABLE

For example, a Green Belt might be needed to perform one project, a Black Belt two plans, and a Master Black Belt 10 or more projects. Most certification bodies provide applicants to count college or university degrees toward the work experience requirements.

Job Opportunities for Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma Certified Professionals

Just as there is not one industry to which Six Sigma processes apply, Six Sigma job roles vary. The most popular characters are project manager, project or process engineer, and quality assurance engineer. However, because employees from many various departments may participate in a Six Sigma team, you can also get business intelligence analysts, operational risk managers, software developers, and consultants, to name a few.

There is a healthy job market for Six Sigma certified professionals.

The average annual salary for a Yellow Belt is about $66,000, and a Green Belt is $82,000. A Black Belt can expect just under $98,000 on average, whereas a Master Black Belt averages $119,000, but it is common to see job descriptions with salaries of $135,000 to $122,000, and sometimes more.

Summary

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