Lean Six Sigma is a management approach to business performance improvement that has blended the two individual specialisms of Lean and Six Sigma.
The application of Lean Six Sigma allows quality and efficiency improvements to be effectively realized. The focus of Lean is about speed, efficiency and taking waste out of a process. Six Sigma focuses on effectiveness and removal of errors. Lean Six Sigma combines Lean Manufacturing (originally developed by Toyota) and Six Sigma (originally developed by Motorola). Both management strategies are among the most used worldwide and have experienced proven success in a wide variety of industries.
When combined and implemented properly, it can be a powerful management tool that can greatly improve an organization’s performance, by providing a structured approach to resolving problems.
You may want to listen to this podcast to hear how Lean Six Sigma is a transferrable framework that can be applied outside of manufacturing and has been picked up by a whole variety of industries - Lifelong Learning: Adding the Lean to Six Sigma.
Lean Six Sigma Belts
There are three levels of Lean Six Sigma qualifications: Yellow Belt, Green Belt and Black Belt. The three levels of Lean Six Sigma qualifications are based on EU-funded research by the Lean Six Sigma Academy (LSSA) to determine a common standard for Lean Six Sigma qualifications and to specify which of the overall Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques are expected to be included within the competences of each Belt level. A Lean Green Belt certification is also available.
Individuals can enter the certification at any Belt level, depending on previous knowledge and experience. Therefore, it is not necessary to achieve a lower Belt certification before moving on to a higher level. The Lean Six Sigma certifications (for all belts) are available in English and Dutch.
Lean Six Sigma Certification will teach you how to:
- Work effectively with, or as a member of, a process improvement team working in an environment supporting Lean Six Sigma.
- Analyse and refine processes to improve efficiency and remove waste using Lean.
- Reduce process variation and improve quality and consistency.
- Add value for customers, employees and shareholders by minimising process variation and waste.
- Improve performance and reduce timescales for Lean Six Sigma projects.
How do I study for Lean Six Sigma Certification?
The Yellow Belt certification involves a multiple-choice exam.
Green and Black Belt certifications consist of a theory exam and practical assessment. By completing the practical assessments, you will be recognised as a 'Lean Six Sigma Certified Green/Black Belt'.
Individuals are not required to start at Yellow Belt and work their way up through the Belts; you can enter at any Belt level. However, the Green and Black Belts are aimed at individuals with prior experience in the field of process improvement and have a statistical background.
Lean Six Sigma Skill Sets:
Lean Six Sigma training and certification are underpinned by the Lean Six Sigma Academy (LSSA) Skill Sets, which are available to download from the LSSA website.
The Skill Sets determine what you are tested on in the exam and provide an outline of the requirements for the practical assessments for Green and Black Belts.
The current version of the Skill Sets is version 3.2.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Become an effective process improvement team member
- Anyone who wants to learn the basics of Lean Six Sigma and effective process improvement
- Individuals involved in process improvement projects
- Continuous Improvement Manager
- Operations Managers
- Team Managers
- Project Managers
- Change Managers
- Finance Managers
- IT Managers
- HR Managers
- The general philosophy of process improvement and why it is important
- Awareness of various methods for process improvement
- How improvement projects must be implemented
- Setting up and facilitating Kaizen teams
- Techniques to create a culture of continuous improvement
- The tools and techniques needed to create stable and efficient processes
- Multiple-choice format
- 50 questions per paper
- 32 marks required to pass (out of 50 available) - 64%
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Open book ('Climbing the Mountain - Mindset, skill set and toolset for Lean Six Sigma Yellow and Orange Belts')
- Calculators are permitted
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
A specialist in the implementation of Lean Six Sigma projects.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belts are specialists in the implementation of Lean Six Sigma projects. With the right combination of expertise, statistical analysis and structured Lean Six Sigma methodology, Green Belts are able to achieve significant improvements in performance and quality. A Green Belt can work alone or as a junior project manager in a team, or as a team member in a larger Black Belt project.
- The general philosophy of process improvement.
- The role and responsibilities of leadership to coach and inspire improvement teams.
- The way improvement projects should be executed starting with the identification of customers and their requirements and including a number of project management roadmaps, team formation, the project charter and a number of Project Management tools.
- Tools and techniques to visualize, analyze and improve the logistical flow of processes.
- The proper and organized work environment, reliable equipment and standardized work required.
- The application of Six Sigma and statistical tools to assure a valid and reliable performance.
- The application of Six Sigma tools in the product development process with the objective to design products and processes that will perform effectively.
- Multiple-choice format
- 60 questions per paper
- 38 marks required to pass (out of 60 available) - 63%
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Open book: a maximum of any two books is permitted during the exam + statistical tables booklet (14 page PDF). Exercise books are NOT permitted during the exam.
- Calculators and minitab are permitted
- Achieving the full Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification includes submitting one Lean Six Sigma projects for review by LSSA.
- The project must demonstrate savings / cost reductions of at least €20,000 per year, or another relevant CTQ (like Lead Time) has substantially been improved.
- The project must follow the PDCA, DMAIC or DMADV roadmap.
- The project must be endorsed by the Champion to declare that the project has been carried out professionally and that objectives have been achieved and sustainable.
- The practical assessment must be completed within 3 years of successful completion of the Green Belt theory exam.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
An expert in implementing Lean Six Sigma projects.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belts are experts in implementing Lean Six Sigma projects. As a program manager, they are responsible for managing complex projects and supporting improvement teams with tools and techniques. They have skills for applying analytical tools and managing change.
- The general philosophy of process improvement.
- The role and responsibilities of leadership to coach and inspire improvement teams.
- The way improvement projects should be executed starting with the identification of customers and their requirements and including a number of project management roadmaps, team formation, the project charter and a number of Project Management tools.
- The proper and organized work environment, reliable equipment and standardized work required.
- The tools and techniques to visualize, analyze and improve the logistical flow of processes making them more stable, predictable and efficient, effective, productive and agile.
- The application of Six Sigma and statistical tools to assure a valid and reliable performance measurement system.
- The application of Six Sigma tools in the product development process.
- Multiple-choice format
- 60 questions per paper
- 38 marks required to pass (out of 60 available) - 63%
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Open book: a maximum of any two books is permitted during the exam + statistical tables booklet (14 page PDF). Exercise books are NOT permitted during the exam.
- Calculators and minitab are permitted
- Achieving the full Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification includes submitting two Lean Six Sigma projects for review by LSSA.
- Each project must demonstrate savings / cost reductions of at least €50,000 per year.
- Each project must be endorsed by the project champion and financial controller.
- The practical assessment must be completed within 3 years of successful completion of the Black Belt theory exam.
