Your company’s long-term profitability can be influenced by many elements that may or may not be under your control. However, as a general rule, the influence of your brand and the reputation you enjoy will be primarily affected by the quality of the products or services you market. Do you want to streamline the internal processes used by your employees? Reduce unnecessary costs on the production line and enhance the overall quality of your products? Then, the Six Sigma methodology is probably the best option for your organization.
Six Sigma is a business philosophy that focuses on collecting analytical data to implement equitable changes that increase profitability and product quality. The Six Sigma methodology is primarily helpful in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries. However, its uses can be combined with other business techniques, such as Lean, to expand usability. Sigma Six is a data-driven approach that aims to identify the main elements that reduce production line efficiency. And these elements can be hidden from view,
To identify the factors in your organization that reduce overall efficiency and quality, you must possess the technical knowledge to perform a complete analysis of the internally utilized processes. So, to acquire this knowledge, you will need a Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Six Sigma certifications range from White Belt Champion, and the complexity of the information presented increases with each level. Do you want to take your business to the next step? If so, you must invest in your skills and achieve a higher Six Sigma qualification.
Critical Aspects of the Six Sigma Green Belt Certification:
Over four million new businesses are started in the United States each year. That means competitiveness in all sectors is at an all-time high, so start-ups must either think outside the box or streamline their internal processes to have a chance at market recognition. Do you want the profitability of your manufacturing business to be guaranteed? Then, you need to invest in your know-how. But what are the main characteristics of a Six Sigma Green Belt certification?
Green Belt trainees are, at least in theory, instructed in the basic principles of Six Sigma methodology and can, therefore, work on personal business improvement projects, albeit with a lower degree of difficulty. Green Belt graduates have a medium level of expertise in Six Sigma, and their responsibilities should be of average difficulty. Who should obtain such a qualification? Individuals who want to improve existing internal processes not yet standardized or who wish to perform a complete analysis of the business elements that can influence the profitability of enterprises.
What Does It Consist Of?
During the Six Sigma Green Belt certification, learners will review the main elements that make up the DMAIC dogma, cover the failure mode effect analysis implementation, and be introduced to the processes influenced by statistical process control. The first week of a Green Belt classroom will focus on identifying ways to reduce production waste, introduce students to graphical analysis applications such as SigmaXL, and teach them how to apply cause and effect metrics for their projects.
The second week of a Green Belt course will feature analyses of multi-varied studies and teach learners how to complete the necessary documentation before the project begins. Green Gelts must know how to use analytics tools to measure variations in internal business processes; they must have skill-solving problems and be comfortable using techniques such as DMAIC. Moreover, they need to collaborate with more skilled peers and adapt the Six Sigma dogma to the requirements of their business domain. Green Belts are less experienced than Black Belts. However, their level of expertise is intermediate and can be helpful to companies looking to put their footing in the ever-growing competitive markets specific to our century.
How Many Tiers Are in a Six Sigma Program?
The Six Sigma methodology is complex, and the analytical tools used by people versed in this philosophy can vary depending on the company’s field and turnover. For this reason, Six Sigma courses have a hierarchy, with each level representing evidence of expertise in the techniques used. The first such level is the White Belts. These are newly enrolled individuals who have only a basic understanding of the techniques and methods involved in Six Sigma. Their role is to support senior management and collect valuable analytical data.
The next tier is the Yellow Belt. Graduates of this level possess a more comprehensive knowledge of the processes and techniques used in the Six Sigma philosophy. In addition, they can be directly involved in projects related to their field. Compared to White Belts, Yellow Belts can perform basic Six Sigma processes and often work with Green or Black Belts. Speaking of Green Belts, they are an intermediate level in Six Sigma and can work directly on projects to streamline internal business processes. Green Belts must be proficient in the analysis tools used in Six Sigma methodology and perform about 50% of the tasks required of a Black Belt graduate.
Black belts are advanced Six Sigma specialists knowledgeable about Six Sigma methodology, tooling, and their role in overall market growth. Black belts have the expertise needed to lead small to medium-sized projects and are responsible for training Green Belts. Master black belts are one step above and are supervisors of Black Belt practitioners, usually working strategically to maintain the enterprise’s overall goals. The last level, and the hardest to achieve, are Champions, who are high-level managers responsible for selecting the general direction of the Six Sigma methodology and asses its impact on the organization
What Is the Future of Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a methodology with a decades-long history that reached its peak of popularity in the mid-2000s. However, the future of Six Sigma is still bright, as there will always be a demand for high-quality goods and more efficient production lines. With time, six Sigma will continue to evolve and incorporate AI analytics to help collect data and make the philosophy more relatable for 21st-century companies. With the adoption of neural networks and machine learning, Six Sigma’s influence will grow and become a widely used technique outside the manufacturing industry.
Given the increasing competitiveness and the growing number of new companies emerging in the International markets, Six Sigma’s influence will expand globally. As long as it is combined with other business methodologies such as lean or TQM, Sigma Six will adapt to changing business environments and will remain a valuable approach for businesses wishing to streamline their internal processes. Is the future of Sigma Six certain? Nothing is in the business world. But where there is a need for quality and efficiency, there will most definitely be a use case for Six Sigma Green Belt certifications.