Learn more as you pass through each Six Sigma certification level

Posted by Taggart on October 8th, 2018

Most working professionals know the name Six Sigma and yet, you often hear this question, “What is Six Sigma?” People vaguely know that Six Sigma is a process improvement methodology, but most people are unaware of how this methodology works. There are different Six Sigma certification levels that the professionals need to clear to make themselves capable of handling greater responsibilities.

Six Sigma was conceptualized in Motorola and was given popularity by General Electric. Once the companies across the world started seeing the benefits if implementing Six Sigma in their processes, the methodology gained huge popularity. As of now, you will not find a single Fortune 500 company that doesn't employ Six Sigma at some or the other level. Companies invest in this methodology because they see business value in it. As processes get improved through Six Sigma, companies are able to make more money. And this is what all the companies aim for, don't they?

Any Six Sigma project team consists of team members with varying levels of experience. It is important for you to know about these levels because you will need to pass each level to make it to the top of the Six Sigma hierarchy. Each Six Sigma certification level has customized training modules built in and you also need to work on projects and get assessed before you can clear a level.

The white belt is the first certification level in Six Sigma. Here you are taught about the fundamentals and tools of the methodology. Your role in a project is part-time and you help in supporting the team and aid in resolving local-level issues.

The yellow belt is the next certification level and here you are given more tools and techniques to learn. You will also now work full-time on projects and help with data analysis and other tasks.

The next certification level, the green belt, is where you may take up a leadership role in simpler Six Sigma projects. You will continue to work as a team member if you are part of more complex projects. You will work closely with the black belt and help them manage the projects.

The black belt is more of an advisor and is definitely expected to lead Six Sigma project teams. The black belt's role is to ensure that the project scope, timelines and outcomes are not breached. The black belt also trains and certifies belt holders at lower levels. As a black belt, you will be mentored by a master black belt.

At the top of the hierarchy is the master black belt. This individual is among the most senior members of the organization and drives strategic and cultural level changes. The most complex business process improvement projects run under the aegis of the master black belt. The master black belt is also the mentor to the black and green belts.

When someone asks, “What is Six Sigma?” this is what you can tell them. If you want to become a Six Sigma professional, go through the levels and you can have a great career ahead.

What is Six Sigma? There is a lot to understand about this concept and you will learn more as you pass through each Six Sigma certification level.