Why should You Do Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

"Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them"

• Albert Einstein

What if you are provided with a tool that helps you do both? What if you are provided with a model that can reduce your investment and yet increase your output, quality and efficiency?

Lean Six Sigma is not just a hypothetical model but a practical solution to almost all the problems that involve any kind of process. But before we proceed with the discussion on Lean Six Sigma, the question that needs to be answered is "Why should one do Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification?"

What is common amongst companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Alibaba, Airbnb and Uber?

They are all technology-based firms and none of them own the products that they deliver or use for their services, yet they are more successful than other traditional business models. The core of all these businesses is customer satisfaction through optimized processes.

Lean Six Sigma is a statistical approach towards this process optimization through cost, time and waste reduction at each step of the process. It is based on the DMAIC (Design, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) approach. Over the years, Supply Chain Management and Operations have become a very crucial part of business. Lean Six Sigma caters to this particular segment and for a given revenue, increases the profits of firms.

Lean Six Sigma

Process Improvement using Lean Six Sigma is done in following five phases.

The first phase of the process is the Define phase. In this phase, the focus in on customer requirements. With the help of affinity diagram or Kano Model, we can record the voice of the customer. Post this, we identify the Critical to Quality characteristics and prepare a project charter and then Map the processes.

Measure phase is the second phase. In this phase, we measure the extent of the defects, variations and waste. The most important aspect of this phase is to collect relevant data and measure it as accurately as possible. Any kind of error at this stage must be avoided.

Once we are done with the measurement we can move to Analyze phase. In this phase, we try to interpret the measurements and calculations that are done during the measurement phase. The sole aim of this phase is to identify the cause and effect of the defects.

Fourth phase is Improve phase. In this phase, we try to find multiple solutions for each of the key problems through brainstorming or other techniques. Then the solutions are ranked in the order of their priority and feasibility. The best solution is chosen and worked upon to improve the process.

Control phase is the final phase of the process. Once we are aware of the problem, its cause and effects and the solution for it, that doesn’t mean the task is over. We monitor the process continuously to prevent recurrence of previous and new defects.

Black Belt Certification

Black belt certification is a advanced level certification course. Black Belt holders are trained in developing, coaching and leading multiple Six Sigma projects at a time. The key responsibility of a Six Sigma Black Belt holder is to ensure Six Sigma methods are followed, use tools to quickly and efficiently drive improvement, help teams learn and understand Six Sigma tools and techniques through regular project reviews, facilitate to keep team focused on project objectives, responsible for the ultimate success of the project, Train and develop Green Belt Holders and spread Six Sigma awareness throughout the organization.

Six Sigma Course

All the Six Sigma Courses are divided into below mentioned four major categories.

Six Sigma Champion or Sponsor is the captain of the ship. Champion takes the overall initiative for the funding, planning and implementation of Six Sigma. Master Black Belt mentors the Black Belts. Black Belt holders lead multiple Six Sigma Projects within the organization at a time and guide the teams lead by Green Belt holders.

Benefits of Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma has millions of benefits depending on the sector and processes on which it’s implemented.

A doctor can have the benefit of having increased success rate, recognition, and can treat more patients.

An engineer can have the benefit of improved quality of output, save time and resources, better results and early promotion.

A business can benefit by generating more and multiple products, improved service, customer satisfaction, and positive brand image and profit maximization.

Customer gets the best quality at reasonable price, better and improved service from the company, defect-proof products that ultimately helps him/her to save time and cost that could have been resulted due to replacement or repairing of the product.

Improvement for any business or an individual at any step, any day for any activity is a success. And Lean Six Sigma is a step forward in achieving that improvement.

Practice the philosophy of continuous improvement, get a little bit better every single day.

We are moving towards a future where customer is the king. The products and services that are provided are shaped according to the customers need. More and more businesses are coming out with solutions that provide customized products and services for each customer. Today’s successful businesses are not those that provide the most pocket friendly products and services, but those who provide the best experience to their customers.

Lean Six Sigma is a tool with unlimited opportunity and scope in this direction. It’s the change that you need for a successful business.

Focuses on depth of interpretations drawn from analysis for correct project and Critical to Quality (CTQ) identification, establishment of correct data collection mechanism with validation being focus of discussions.