From the course: How to Manage Lean Six Sigma Projects: Part II
Lean Six Sigma Belt certifications
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- Congratulations on completing a Lean Six Sigma Project. Well done. Now, if you're interested in becoming a certified green belt or black belt, you should know that there are many organizations which provide certification. These certifiers include professional societies, training and consulting firms, colleges, and companies doing in-house training and certification. There is no monopoly on Lean Six Sigma certification. Typically to become certified, one has to complete the green belt or black belt training, pass an examination and complete at least one Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma project. If you are seeking professional certification, there are many professional organizations that offer it. One such organization is the American Society for Quality at asq.org. For these professional certifiers, the training requirements can be fulfilled elsewhere. In other words, you don't have to undergo training courses offered by them. If you have completed LinkedIn learning courses on the learning paths, becoming a Six Sigma green belt or becoming a Six Sigma black belt, then you have fulfilled the training requirement. As for work experience, they require work experience in one or more of areas or topics of Lean Six Sigma. As for the certification exam, the professional certifiers do publish their body of knowledge upon which they will test you. Exam preparation, study guides, and sample exams are also available. Of course, nothing is free. You have to pay for the application process, the examination, and any materials you've purchased. For the exam, each professional body tends to emphasize certain topics more than others. So I would recommend that you study that specific exempt prep materials. For example, in the case of ASQ, study the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Handbook, because it is organized along the lines of ASQs body of knowledge. Also, practice their sample exams so you have a feel of what topics are emphasized. Finally, expect to do a manual calculations of statistics. No mini-tab or software is allowed. The next requirement is project completion. For green belt certification, professional bodies do not typically require a project, but for black belt certification, most of them, including the ASQ, requires completion of a DMA IC project, as well as a project affidavit or verification by the project champion or a senior manager. So there have it, those other requirements regarding professional certification. Let me add that the true value of becoming a green belt or black belt is what you do with the knowledge and skillset is the operational and financial results of your projects. You must apply what you've learned, lead projects, and achieve significant results. That's the true value add. Get the results. Thank you for spending your time here with me. Best wishes as you drive operational excellence.
