Organizations across multiple industries are implementing this popular and effective methodology. Learn all about the different Lean Six Sigma Belt certifications in this guide.
Earning a Lean Six Sigma belt not only conveys your project management talents but also helps put your career on a fast track. Many top companies use Six Sigma principles to refine their business processes, which in turn helps them attain higher sales and greater customer satisfaction. Employees skilled in Lean Six Sigma approaches are in higher demand and can command higher salaries.
What is Six Sigma?
Six Sigma was introduced to help make manufacturing processes more efficient. Over the years, construction, healthcare, finance, and engineering companies have applied Six Sigma techniques.
Six Sigma is a data-driven methodology that delineates and assesses each step in a process. Six Sigma uses continuous process improvement to refine processes until they generate stable, predictable outcomes. It is a management system that detects errors and offers ways to eliminate them.
Also Read: Understanding Six Sigma Belt Levels: A Comprehensive Guide
How Six Sigma was Developed?
American physicist, engineer, and statistician Walter Shewhart developed the concept that any part of a process that deviates three Sigma from the mean requires improvement. One Sigma is one standard deviation. Six Sigma Daily says that the methodology calls for bringing operations to a “six sigma” level, limiting a process to 3.4 defects for every one million opportunities.
Motorola began using Six Sigma in the 1980s to produce consistent product quality. Motorola engineer Bill Smith is a pioneer of modern Six Sigma for developing many of the methodologies still in use.
What is Lean?
Lean works to reduce or eliminate actions in a process that don’t add value. It looks to remove waste and retain value-added steps, and Lean helps improve quality and customer satisfaction.
Lean can help:
a) Reduce process cycle time
b) Improve delivery time
c) Reduce or eliminate product defects
d) Reduce inventory levels
e) Optimize resources
What is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that relies on team collaboration to identify and reduce waste in processes and resources. It was created by Toyota in the 1940s to streamline manufacturing and business transactions and is now used in nearly all industries to improve performance, and eliminate waste defects.
Lean Six Sigma Roles and Salaries
Lean Six Sigma practitioners gain expertise by earning belts for each level of achievement. These levels are Lean Six Sigma White Belts, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belts, Lean Six Sigma Green Belts, Lean Six Sigma Black Belts, and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belts.
Lean Six Sigma organizations promote the training of employees at all Lean Six Sigma belt levels. For example, Lean Six Sigma White Belts and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belts receive training in process improvement theories and terminology. Lean Six Sigma Green Belts assist Lean Six Sigma Black Belts on projects with analysis and data collection. Lean Six Sigma Black Belts serve as project leaders, and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belts work to ensure the employment of Six Sigma principles throughout an organization.
The following describes the different Lean Six Sigma Belts and salary ranges:
Lean Six Sigma White Belt
Average Salary: $51,000
Salary Range: $42,000 to $64,000
Lean Six Sigma White Belts learn the Lean Six Sigma fundamentals and how organizations apply them. They study team members’ roles and how each contributes to a company’s efficiency. They learn about the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control) process and focus on reducing waste.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Average Salary: $65,000
Salary Range: $55,000 to $99,000
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belts know Six Sigma specifics and where an organization uses them. They support project teams in problem-solving and assist Lean Six Sigma Green and Black Belt project leaders.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Average Salary: $110,800
Salary Range: $89,900 to $117,100
Lean Six Sigma Green Belts create, identify or improve processes. They are proficient in Lean Six Sigma principles and DMAIC and can lead teams and assist Lean Six Sigma Black Belts.
A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification is appropriate for midlevel managers or professionals in project management, quality assurance, manufacturing, healthcare administration, financial management, or engineering.
Also Read: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Exam Questions and Answers
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Average salary: $127,300
Salary Range: 109,200 to 137,100
Lean Six Sigma Black Belts are change experts who can lead teams of Lean Six Sigma Green, Yellow and White Belts. Black Belts manage Six Sigma projects full-time and comprehensively grasp process improvement and statistical analysis.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belts often take on large, multifaceted projects that include companywide initiatives to improve quality, productivity, and profitability. As team leaders, they also possess leadership and people skills.
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
Average salary: $164,100
Salary Range: $141,700 to $187,200
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belts lead organizations in shaping strategy, developing metrics, serving as a consultant, and coaching Lean Six Sigma Black and Green belts. Master Black Belts have five years of Six Sigma Black Belt experience. They consult on solving problems and guiding teams on technological issues. Master Black Belts also mentor others on Lean Six Sigma principles
The Value of Lean Six Sigma Certification
Here are five benefits to earning a Lean Six Sigma certification:
1) Increase your value
Learning Lean Six Sigma allows you to quickly address and resolve quality control issues, reduce errors, and ensure that processes operate efficiently. These are precisely the kinds of organization and management skills employers are seeking. Certification demonstrates that you’re adept at lowering costs, making processes more efficient, and boosting revenue.
2) Develop practical experience
A Lean Six Sigma certification shows you’ve completed projects using the methodology’s principles. Certification holders have practical, hands-on project management and quality assurance experience. Certification can improve your chances of moving into leadership roles and contributing to the organization in meaningful ways.
3) Increase your job prospects
Certification in Lean Six Sigma raises your profile in the job market because it shows leadership and the ability to reduce costs, improve quality control, and increase revenue. Because Lean Six Sigma skills apply to many fields, you can be a candidate for more positions.
4) Getting promoted to management
Certified Lean Six Sigma professionals are valued by management because they have leadership and team-building skills. Trained Lean Six Sigma employees also understand the need for risk assessment and financial discipline, making them well-suited for management positions.
5) Earning a higher salary
With greater skills and responsibilities come higher compensation. Earning a Lean Six Sigma certification can position you for a higher salary or a new, better-paying job. Certified Lean Six Sigma professionals can work more efficiently and take on more responsibilities.
Also Read: How to Become Lean Six Sigma Certified?
Lean Six Sigma Training Can Advance Your Career
To start your journey toward Lean Six Sigma certification, choose a training course that offers flexibility, professional instructors, and industry projects to hone your skills. The Post Graduate Program in Lean Six Sigma, delivered by Simplilearn in collaboration with UMass Amherst, offers comprehensive coursework with a self-paced, online program designed for graduates in any discipline and working professionals. Applicants are not required to have prior project management experience to enroll.
This affordable, six-month course offers online videos and live virtual classes and guides students through hands-on projects. In addition, learners get access to mentorship sessions to help them master Lean Six Sigma concepts and tools.
This Post Graduate Program in Lean Six Sigma is an IASSC-accredited course that covers Agile Management, Digital Transformation, Lean Management, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Minitab, and Quality Management.
Professionals who complete the course gain membership in the UMass Amherst Alumni Association.
Earning professional certification from the Post Graduate Program in Lean Six Sigma is an intelligent first step in launching a Lean Six Sigma expert career. Call or write today for more information on how easy it is to get started.
