Six Sigma Certification

When getting certified in Six Sigma, there are different levels, or belts, that are usually discussed.  A Six Sigma belt level is defined by the role that someone fulfills within a Six Sigma project.  The three most common belts are Yellow, Green, and Black Belts.  Each belt level plays an essential role in the Six Sigma project.

The Six Sigma Yellow Belt is considered an expert in a particular aspect of a process being improved.  They generally review current and new processes that support the project.  Yellow Belts have a very narrow focus within the project and can fall anywhere within the organization’s hierarchy.

The Six Sigma Green Belt works within a project collecting data and assisting with the analysis of that data.  Green belts may also lead smaller Six Sigma projects from time to time if they have experience.  The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) role adds the additional skill of waste reduction.  This is why Lean Six Sigma is so popular in industries like manufacturing and healthcare.

The Six Sigma Black Belt is the leader of a Six Sigma project.  They are the project managers responsible for the overall project execution.  They also give instruction and training to Green belts and yellow belts.

In addition to the three most common belt levels, there are additional roles within a Six Sigma project.  They include:

The Six Sigma White Belt is the entry-level certification for Six Sigma.  All members of an organization should be certified as a White Belt since it explains the overall concepts of process improvement.  Certifying your team as White Belt’s ensures the entire organization understands the goals and benefits of an improvement project.

The Six Sigma Master Black Belt is the most experienced project member.  A Master Black belt isn’t required on every project but is often used during large, complex projects.  Six Sigma Master Black Belts also act as trainers, training lower-level belts and new project team members.

The Six Sigma Champion is the individual in charge of the project.  They initiate the project, set the budget, and work with company stakeholders to define the goals.  The Champion is someone with influence within the organization, usually a Vice President or higher.  Champions must have the ability to clear any roadblocks that occur during the project.

In Six Sigma, you do not need to get certified in all of the belt levels.  Most people only get certified in the belt level that they’ll be working in.  When you register for a Six Sigma certification through the Management and Strategy Institute there are no prerequisites.  The higher-level belts include all of the lower-level training material.  For example, if you register for our Six Sigma Black Belt Professional certification, it includes all of the Yellow and Green belt training material and you will learn that material first, before moving on to the Black Belt material.

Having a Six Sigma Certification on your resume shows employers that you have a strong understanding of quality and process improvement methods.  In today’s corporate environment, employers are looking for employees who can fill multiple roles precisely.  Six Sigma methodologies are in direct alignment with these goals, which is why quality improvement-based certifications are among some of the most sought-after certifications in business today.