Understanding the Lean Six Sigma Levels

What makes the Lean Six Sigma certification one of the most desirable professional qualifications in the job market? Why do companies today lookout for Lean Six Sigma certified professionals? What would you like to know about the Lean Six Sigma levels? You will find answers about Lean Six Sigma levels and certifications in this article.

The competition in the job market is high. Corporate recruiters tend to bid for professionals who possess business-relevant certifications. The keenness for traditional and conventional degrees seem to have waned.

So, career enthusiasts have devised the means to stay relevant in the corporate world by adding to their credentials. These additional credentials, sometimes referred to as, continuing professional development (CPD), include certifications like the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

The Lean Six Sigma training offered by MakeWay Global is not just business knowledge, but serves as a guide on how to improve business processes. The essence of this is such that organisations can reduce waste, reduce operations cost and enhance operational efficiency.

Therefore, employing a Lean Six Sigma certified professional into any organisation is a strategy many employers and business owners have embarked upon. There are different levels of Lean Six Sigma training and certification.

The Lean Six Sigma Levels

Understanding the Lean Six Sigma levels or belts are as follows: Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt and Master Black Belt. People have enquired of the belt levels as some say they do understand the concept. They are unsure of which belt level will be relevant and beneficial to them.

This article covers a succinct description of what each Lean Six Sigma level entails. You can view the belt levels like the Maslow pyramid of human needs. The Master Black Belt is at the peak of the pyramid, while the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt is at the base.

You may be wondering… How does one go through the process of understanding the Lean Six Sigma levels and most importantly ‘What is Lean Six Sigma certification?’ This is the credential awarded to anyone who has undergone any of the Lean Six Sigma training levels. To achieve a Lean Six Sigma level and be certified, you would have had some training, which can include a study of Lean Six Sigma pdf material.

Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt

The Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt is your first step into understanding the Lean Six Sigma principles. At this level, the candidate will be taught the basic tools and techniques for process improvement as it applies to any organisation. This level prepares one to be awarded the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certificate.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt goes into some more detail than the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, as it is the practitioner level. It gives a more comprehensive training on Lean Six Sigma such that one is able to lead a team in a structured Lean Six Sigma improvement project.

It is beneficial to have some level of practical experience in process improvement or supply chain management before one approaches the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training and certification. Having said that though, one can register directly for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and gain the certification via one training event.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt holder conducts team related improvement projects within their own departments or divisions. Having said that, they can include other staff members from separate sections of the organisation within their team – especially where the process impacts another part of the organisation.

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

This can be referred to as the expert level. The holder of the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certificate can lead and coordinate cross-functional improvement projects within the organisation. It is highly beneficial that the seeker of the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certificate should have undertaken some Green Belt projects prior to registration.

MakeWay Global offers professional online training and certification to those that desire to qualify with a Lean Six Sigma certification.

Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt

The Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification is the highest within the pyramid. What is Lean Six Sigma certification for the Master Black Belt compared to Black Belt? Of course, these two levels are different.

Being certified as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt professional entails the ability to prove one’s competence as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. This includes having undertaken a number of Black Belt projects and coached some Green Belt improvement projects.

This certification is being granted by the International Lean Six Sigma for which you can get the details via this  Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt link. This is the topmost level of the Lean Six Sigma certifications.

Factors that Affect Lean Six Sigma Training Levels

One could choose to start the Lean Six Sigma training with MakeWay Global. The following three factors can be a further guide to the decision to undertake the Lean Six Sigma training programme.

Body of Knowledge

One does not require a college degree to enrol in any Lean Six Sigma training. Most of the training organisations run the course based on a common assessment referred to as the Body of Knowledge (BoK). One can gravitate towards any belt level that they desire with training and experience of use of the methodology.

With respect to the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt level, although having prior understanding in statistics and mathematics could help, it is not a criteria as all the necessary aspects will be taught. The fact that Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven methodology is the reason for some basic statistics that would help in the analysis of data.

Professional work experience

Do you have experience in project management? Are you vast about quality control management? If the response to any of these questions is in the affirmative, then it becomes one of the reasons why the Lean Six Sigma framework will suit the relevant candidate’s skills.

Recency of Mainstream Educational Qualification

The recency of one’s mainstream education may mean that the person is still suited to classroom learning and examinations. This is usually the mode for the Lean Six Sigma training. However, the examinations are not onerous, and they are designed to help the candidates reinforce their learning of the framework.

Now, if there are still questions about Lean Six Sigma, feel free to read some of our other posts on this framework. For further questions, please contact MakeWay Global. We will be willing to provide answers that will guide the potential candidate.