subject: What Can You Learn With Six Sigma? [print this page] Six Sigma is a methodology designed to generate profits, organization, and quality in a business setting. By providing Six Sigma training to the various levels of staff in an organization, these results can be realized quickly and efficiently. There are various Six Sigma training programs depending on the status of an individual within an organization. For example, average employees are rarely trained on more than a Six Sigma Green Belt certification while a supervisor is a Black Belt. Each of the different belts and certifications are detailed below:
Master Black Belts are responsible for the training, coaching and oversight of lower-level Black and Green belts. Six Sigma Master Black Belt training programs allow individuals, usually high-ranking managers or supervisors, to become an integral part of the Six Sigma functionality. These people are responsible for developing key metrics and establishing the strategic direction by acting as the business Six Sigma internal consultant. Black Belts oversee the constant, targeted problem-solving improvement projects that are a key element of the Six Sigma methodology. Six Sigma Black Belt training programs teach these project leads how to train and coach their individual teams and direct the improvement projects.
Green Belts are typically responsible non-manager employees that assist Black Belts with data collection and analysis for their projects. An employee who has participated in Six Sigma Green Belt certification can help oversee a Green Belt project or team in a capacity similar to a pro-tem position. Yellow Belts are mid-ranking employees who participate as project team members by reviewing process improvements and supporting the overall project.
White Belt holders are the lowest tier in the hierarchy. They can work on lower level problem solving teams designed to assist the Black Belt projects, but they are not official members of the Six Sigma team. They have received no official training and have only a basic understanding of the concept and scope of Six Sigma.
Executives and champions, as they are called, help establish project direction by working in one of the following functionalities: Executives are responsible for overall Six Sigma organizational alignment. These individuals must establish the complete strategic focus of the implemented Six Sigma program by evaluating the culture and vision of the company. Lower level Champions assist with applying the companys vision, mission, designated goals and metrics to an improvement project by identifying company resources and helping demolish any existing barriers to improvement.
