Basically, there is no formal list or specific amounts of training and knowledge that one must have in order to obtain the various levels of technical and organizational expertise.
However, there are three specific certification levels to Six Sigma leaders: Green belts, Black Belts and Master Black Belts.
Green Belts
Green Belts are proficiency team leaders that are capable of organizing and instructing six sigma teams and can easily manage projects from conception and beyond. Green Belt training is usually composed of a week of classroom training, which is often held in tandem with a company's current six sigma projects.
Training usually covers different facilitation techniques, project and quality management tools, quality control, problem solving, and data analysis.
Black Belts
People who make excellent Black Belts are hi-tech individuals with advanced aptitudes for statistics and mathematics and are often role models for their colleagues. They should already be engaged in their company's strategic organizational overhaul including business development processes. Black Belt candidates usually have varied backgrounds and are usually not formally trained in statistics.
But because Black Belts need to learn a large number of technical tools in a very short timeframe, candidates should be comfortable with advanced mathematical concepts and a working knowledge of quantitative analysis.
They will work to extract useful information from a business's information system. Successful Black Belt aspirant should be well-versed with several computer systems, spreadsheets, database tools and presentation programs, such as Microsoft PowerPoint.
As a component of their Black Belt training, all prospects should be required to be skilled in the use of several statistical analysis softwares, such as SPSS.
Master Black Belts
The Master Black Belt is the highest level of Six Sigma technical mastery. Because only Master Black Belts can and are required to facilitate the training of Black Belts, they have to know everything the black belts do. In addition, they need to understand how the theory of mathematics is linked with statistical methods. Six Sigma Master Black Belts must be able to help their lower-level counterparts (Black and Green Belts) in applying the appropriate methods throughout the project process.
Generally speaking, training in statistical methods should be done solely by Master Black Belts. Due to the basis of the Master Black Belt's work, communication skills, as well as the aptitude to teach, should be deemed just as important as technical skill when evaluating candidates.
In order to make the most appropriate changes, Six Sigma professionals first gather huge amounts of data related to the business process selected for improvement. The collected data is then sorted out and classified based on the overall value that a particular dataset contributes to the business process. A dataset is simply a part of the collected data relating to a specific sub-process of the given business process.
This type of classification is necessary because it enables Six Sigma professionals to concentrate on sub-processes that add the most value. It would be a waste of precious time and resources if the entire data were to be analyzed. After identifying and classifying the important datasets, the next step relates to their analysis, which helps in identifying the most crucial factors affecting the business process. The analysis is done by comparing past and present datasets and by utilizing advanced statistical tools, techniques and methodologies.
Finding The Most Appropriate Quality Improvement Solutions
After identifying the crucial components of the business process, Six Sigma professionals conduct brainstorming sessions with representatives from the staff, middle-level management, and the top management in order to seek quality improvement suggestions. All the suggestions are then given a definite shape and passed through the Six Sigma testing process.
Advanced statistical software systems are used in the testing process for selecting the best quality improvement suggestions. The selected quality improvement initiative is then made to undergo further testing and refinement, before it is actually made available for implementation.
Checking The Effectiveness Of Implemented Quality Improvements
It is highly unlikely that a quality initiative that has passed such rigorous testing will fail to achieve the desired results - but since there is always a possibility of error, organizations can never overlook the need for implementing appropriate checks and controls. Additionally, since there is always a chance that the selected quality initiative may deliver results far below what was expected, organizations need to put in place control systems so that deviations, if any, can be accounted for.
These control systems use statistical tools for comparing actual results with the expected results, enabling Six Sigma professionals to keep a tab on the effectiveness of the implemented changes and to take immediate action if anything goes drastically wrong. The control system also helps in identifying and rectifying minor problems that can prove disastrous after a certain time if allowed to grow unhindered. It is only when proper control systems have been set up, can the organization hope to derive the maximum benefits from the implemented changes.
Thus, we can see that thinking statistically is not a choice but a compulsion or necessity for Six Sigma professionals. As business processes grow more and more complex, the need for statistical tools and techniques as well as qualified professionals will be felt even more in the near future.
Tony Jacowski has sinced written about articles on various topics from University, Six Sigma and Information Technology. Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online and certification classes for lean six sigm. Tony Jacowski's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.