Six Sigma

What Is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma was invented by a Motorola scientist in the 1980s. It uses statistical analysis techniques to eliminate inefficiencies and defects. This methodology enables organizations to make data-driven decisions for process improvement.

The name “Six Sigma” is taken from the name of the bell curve used in statistics, where one Sigma symbolizes one standard deviation away from the mean. When the process shows six Sigmas, three of them are placed above the mean and three of them below the mean, which means the defect rate is quite low. This is because only 3.4 events out of a million along a bell curve would fall outside of six standard deviations. Statistically, an error or defect is unlikely to occur more than three times out of every million. Accordingly, Six Sigma is a performance metric that corresponds to 3.4 defects per million units, or opportunities.

Today, Six Sigma is used as a management strategy for the organization-wide deployment of improvement projects. In a nutshell, the aim of applying Six Sigma is to improve the quality of products, processes, or services by leveraging management principles to achieve this goal.

What Are the Certified Six Sigma Belt Levels?

Six Sigma projects can bring extensive benefits, including increased organizational efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, reduced costs and waste, increased revenues, and more. Six Sigma Black Belts can manage up to seven projects per year and contribute to the organization's bottom line.

To visualize the Six Sigma organization within the company, there is usually one Master Black Belt for every 10 Black Belts, or about one Master Black Belt for every 1,000 employees. For example, a company with 1,000 employees would look like this:

• Project: 50 to 70 (5 to 7 per Black Belt)

Here are the certified Six Sigma Belt levels from highest to lowest.

Six Sigma Master Black Belt (MBB)

This is the highest level of Six Sigma achievement based on technical and organizational proficiency.  Master Black Belts can provide technical leadership in the Six Sigma program.

This means they should know everything the Black Belts know. However, they might have additional skills such as a deep understanding of the mathematical theory on which statistical methods are based, coaching skills to help Black Belts, teaching skills, or program organization skills at the enterprise level.

Master Black Belts must be able to assist Black Belts in applying the methods correctly in unusual situations, especially when using advanced statistical methods. Whenever possible, statistical training should be conducted only by qualified Master Black Belts. If this is not possible, and Black Belts or Green Belts need to provide training, they should only do so under the guidance of a Master Black Belt.

Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

The Six Sigma Black Belt is a professional who can explain Six Sigma philosophies and principles, including supporting systems and tools. A Black Belt should show leadership, understand team dynamics and assign team members unique roles and responsibilities. Black Belts have the ability to achieve tangible results, such as:

1. Completed two or more projects which employed the Six Sigma approach (DMAIC or equivalent).
2. Projects reviewed by the appropriate personnel, and deliverables accepted by the project sponsor.

iii. Projects are documented in the manner prescribed by the Six Sigma organization.

1. Projects used the Six Sigma approach and correctly employed a significant subset of basic, intermediate, and advanced Six Sigma tools and techniques (see the figure below).
2. Perform benefit/cost analysis.
3. Quantify deliverables in terms meaningful to the organization, such as cost, quality, cycle time, safety improvement, etc.
4. Identify and overcome obstacles to progress.
5. Work within time, budget, and operational constraints.

Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)

The Six Sigma Green Belt works in support or under the supervision of a Six Sigma Black Belt. A Green Belt should have at least three years of work experience, and want to demonstrate their knowledge of Six Sigma tools and processes. Green Belts have the ability to achieve tangible results, such as:

1. Completed one or more projects that employed the Six Sigma approach (DMAIC or equivalent).
2. Projects reviewed by the appropriate personnel, and deliverables accepted by the project sponsor.
3. Projects are documented in a Green Belt notebook arranged in the DMAIC or equivalent format.
4. Projects used the Six Sigma approach and correctly employed a significant subset of basic tools and at least some intermediate Six Sigma tools and techniques (see the figure below).
5. Perform benefit/cost analysis.
6. Quantify deliverables in terms momentous to the organization, such as cost, quality, cycle time, safety improvement, etc.
7. Identify and overcome obstacles to progress.
8. Work within time, budget, and operational constraints.

Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB)

The Six Sigma Yellow Belt has a small role or responsibility, interest, or need to develop foundational knowledge. Yellow Belts support project teams in problem-solving tasks, since they know the specifics of Six Sigma, including how and when to apply it. They can be entry-level employees who strive to improve their world.

Roles

Master Black Belt

• Enterprise Six Sigma expert
• Permanent full-time change agent
• Certified Black Belt with additional specialized skills or experience especially useful in the deployment of Six Sigma across the enterprise

Black Belt

• Six Sigma technical expert
• Temporary, full-time change agent (will return to other duties after completing a two- to three-year tour of duty as a Black Belt)

Green Belt

• Six Sigma project originator
• Six Sigma project leader
• Part-time Six Sigma change agent.
• Continues to perform normal duties while participating in Six Sigma project teams
• Six Sigma champion in local area

Requirements for Six Sigma Certification

To earn a professional Certified Belt designation from one of the associations for Six Sigma Certification, such as ASQ, Six Sigma Council, or The International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC), you must attempt the Lean Six Sigma Exam specific to each belt and achieve a minimum score of 70%. Read this article to learn more.

Related Links:

• How to get Lean Six Sigma Certification
• What is Lean Six Sigma? Complete Definition
• Are ‘Quality by Design’ and ‘Six Sigma’ the same concept?
• Is Lean Six Sigma a Good Fit for the Life Sciences?
• DMAIC explained: Using Six Sigma in Quality Management