So, what exactly is Six Sigma certification? 

Six Sigma originated with Bill Smith at Motorola in 1986. Applicable in a variety of industries, the overarching goal of Six Sigma is to reduce deficiencies in companies so there are only 3.4 defects per million opportunities. Meaning that 99.9% of processes are defect-free, allowing your company to run smoother, save time, and save resources. This may seem like a daunting task, but Six Sigma uses a method of process improvement called DMAIC which guides users to systematically define and address the root causes of issues and maintain the gains. DMAIC stands for:

• • Define: define the problem 
  • Measure: quantify the problem 
  • Analyze: identify the root cause of the problem 
  • Improve: solve the root cause and verify improvement 
  • Control: maintain the gains and pursue perfection 

Who is involved in Six Sigma?

Anyone in the company can get involved with Six Sigma. When deciding to launch a process improvement project using Six Sigma, there are roles to assign. The roles are broken down into different “belts” ranging from White Belt to Master Black Belt. All of the “belts” are associated with different responsibilities and process knowledge levels. It’s not necessary to be certified in all the belt levels as you can choose which level corresponds best with your job’s duties. Functional roles can translate to Six Sigma roles. The belts work like this: 

Six Sigma White Belt: This is the first level of certification that deals with the basic Six Sigma concepts. White belts support change management in an organization and engage with local problem-solving teams that assist projects.

Six Sigma Yellow Belt: At this level, you know the specifics of Six Sigma, how and where to apply it. You will support project teams on problem-solving tasks.

Six Sigma Green Belt: At this level, you understand advanced analysis and can resolve problems that affect quality. Green belts lead projects and assist black belts with data collection and analysis.

Six Sigma Black Belt: Black belts are experts and agents of change. They provide training in addition to leading projects.

Six Sigma Master Black Belt: This is the highest level of Six Sigma achievement. At this level, you will shape strategy, develop key metrics, act as a consultant, and coach black and green belts.

What are the benefits? 

Six Sigma certification doesn’t just benefit the organization, but the employee as well. Some benefits for your organization include:

• • Improved bottom line 
  • Improved customer satisfaction 
  • Standardization and legal compliance of processes 

Along with the company as a whole, Six Sigma can benefit individuals too: 

• • Become valuable in every industry 
  • Hands-on experience in quality management 
  • Studies have shown that Six Sigma certified Black Belts in European countries made more than their non-certified peers. Salary.com reports that Six Sigma certified Black Belts earn between $103,300 and $129,700 on average. 

Have other companies implemented Six Sigma?

Using Six Sigma’s collaborative approach to improve operations,  SRHC subsidiary Salina Regional Health Enterprises, saved $20 million after training 1,500 people. Another success story? General Electric saved $12 billion 5 years after implementing Six Sigma. Improving your organization’s processes and putting results in the hands of employees has limitless potential. 

Okay, all this sounds great! How can I get my employees Six Sigma certified? 

With a variety of publishers offering Six Sigma courses within OpenSesame, you’re sure to be able to find the perfect fit for your company. Click here to learn more about our dedicated Six Sigma course list. 

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