The Six Sigma methodology consists of tools and techniques many organizations use to enhance their production processes, eliminate defects, and ensure the highest quality products. A Six Sigma certification on your resume shows your commitment to improving your analytical skills and business acumen. It will also improve the growth of the organization where you work.
Companies worldwide see your Six Sigma certification as verifiable proof that you possess the knowledge and expertise to streamline operations, refine, and help achieve the organization’s goals, boosting overall efficiency and profitability. These characteristics make you a more attractive candidate to recruiters and managers.
There are many ways to acquire Six Sigma skills. Self-study is a good choice if you have time commitments and need to fit in your study in your free time gaps. If you have the time, self-discipline, and materials, you can make significant inroads in acquiring valuable Six Sigma skills. So, where do these materials come from?
Look no further! This article highlights the twelve best Lean Six Sigma books for independent study. The list covers all levels of experience, from beginner to advanced.
We round out the article with some preparation tips for your Six Sigma certification.
Let’s get to that list.
The 12 Best Six Sigma Books for Six Sigma
Title: Lean Six Sigma for Dummies
- Author: John Morgan, Martin Brenig – Jones
- Year of Release and Version: 2010, v20
- Publisher Information: John Morgan has been a Director at Catalyst Consulting for the past decade, the top Lean Six Sigma solution supplier in Europe.
- Goodreads Rating: 3.6
- Experience Level: Beginner
Details
Let’s start with something fundamental that covers the Lean methodology. Lean Six Sigma brings together Six Sigma, which promotes higher quality and fewer errors, and the Lean methodology, which emphasizes more efficiency and less waste. This book is ideal for someone just starting in Six Sigma, presented in lay terms and with practical examples. The book is also filled with easy-to-follow techniques and business implementation tools.
Title: The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Handbook
- Author: T.M. Kubiak and Donald W. Benbow
- Year of Release and Version: 2016, v3
- Publisher Information: T. M. Kubiak has over two decades of experience working at various managerial levels with organizations like Honeywell International and Sears Roebuck International.
- Goodreads Rating: 3.9
- Experience Level: Beginner
Details
This handbook is the complete resource for all Six Sigma Black Belts, including anyone who wants to become one. The book covers all facets of Six Sigma, including its background and importance, project management, the voice of the customer, testing, and analysis, all necessary methodologies and tools, Lean enterprise, failure mode and effects analysis, design for Six Sigma (DFSS), and more. The authors numbered the chapters to correspond with the required body of knowledge for the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt exam.
Title: Six Sigma: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
- Author: Craig Joseph Setter and the Council for Six Sigma Certification
- Year of Release and Version: 2018, v2
- Publisher Information: The Council for Six Sigma Certification is the Official Industry Standard of Six Sigma Accreditation for Six Sigma training providers worldwide.
- Goodreads Rating: 4.2
- Experience Level: Beginner
Details
This handbook offers the highest available educational value available, whether you want to learn about Six Sigma strategies and tools or you just want to learn how to gain Six Sigma certification to increase your career prospects and income significantly. The book covers everything from White and Yellow Belts’s basic concepts to the advanced knowledge level needed to acquire Black Belt certification.
Title: Six Sigma for Everyone
- Author: George Eckes
- Year of Release and Version: 2003, v4
- Publisher Information: Eckes & Associates, Inc., is a Colorado-based consulting firm specializing in, among other things, Six Sigma training and implementation. George Eckes founded the company, and he serves as the president and CEO.
- Goodreads Rating: 3.6
- Experience Level: Beginner
Details
This book is specifically targeted at employees of companies that are considering or currently attempting Six Sigma implementation, as opposed to most other Six Sigma books that focus on Six Sigma practitioners and executives. This book details the foundations of Six Sigma’s quality assurance methodology, offers in-depth examples, and explains the implementation’s impact and intended outcome.
Title: Unlocking Lean Six Sigma
- Author: Dr. Wesley E. Donahue
- Year of Release and Version: 2021, v2
- Publisher Information: Dr. Donahue, Ph.D., is a Penn State University Management Development and Education professor. He is also the president of Centrestar, a business that aids people in testing and developing their leadership abilities.
- Goodreads Rating: 4.1
- Experience Level: Beginner
Details
This book helps people and project management teams identify issues and set up better work process changes. The book’s valuable principles and tools can be employed in any industry and organization and don’t require engineering skills to implement them.
Title: Lean Six Sigma Service Excellence
- Author: Gerald Taylor
- Year of Release and Version: 2008, v1
- Publisher Information: Gerald Taylor is the founder and president of Performance Management Group LLC, a company specializing in leadership development and performance improvement.
- Goodreads Rating: 3.7
- Experience Level: Advanced
Details
The book offers an overview of Lean Six Sigma concepts and provides step-by-step examples of applying the relevant tools in practical situations. Next, the reader works through several problems to test their newfound understanding.
Title: The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook
- Author: Michael L. George
- Year of Release and Version: 2004, v6
- Publisher Information: Michael L. George is the founder and president of The George Group, the largest consulting practice in the United States.
- Goodreads Rating: 4.2
- Experience Level: Advanced
Details
This book is, to date, the most comprehensive and results-based reference resource covering the concepts and tools needed to understand, implement, and leverage Lean Six Sigma. The book explains the appropriate tools, their function, and when to use them. The book is widely popular thanks to its comprehensive, results-oriented approach.
Title: Statistics for Six Sigma Black Belts
- Author: Matthew A. Barsalou
- Year of Release and Version: 2015, v1
- Publisher Information: Matthew A. Barsalou is a writer with an excellent reputation for his strategic planning abilities.
- Goodreads Rating: 5.0
- Experience Level: Advanced
Details
This book is meant for Six Sigma Black Belts who need to understand many statistical techniques but don’t regularly use them all. The book is meant to be a quick reference and offers fundamental information, detailed instructions, and instructions for Minitab statistical software.
Title: The Six Sigma Way: How to Maximize the Impact of Your Change and Improvement Efforts
- Author: Peter S. Pande, Robert P. Neuman, and Roland Cavanagh
- Year of Release and Version: 2014, v2
- Publisher Information: The three authors are veteran Six Sigma Black Belt trainers.
- Goodreads Rating: 4.0
- Experience Level: Advanced
Details
This book was one of the first to clearly explain the advantages of Six Sigma’s improvement-driven and customer-centric approach to business leaders. The book shows how GE, Motorola, and other businesses have used Six Sigma to improve performance, reduce costs, increase customer loyalty, and boost profits.
Title: The Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Handbook
- Authors: Daniel J. Zrymiak, Govindarajan Ramu, Roderick A. Munro
- Year of Release and Version: 2010, v2
- Publisher Information: All three authors are ASQ fellows who have authored multiple books and journals.
- Goodreads Rating: 4.3
- Experience Level: Advanced
Details
Here’s a book explicitly targeted towards Green Belt candidates. This guide helps Six Sigma professionals looking for a handy reference to the materials needed to complete successful Green Belt projects. The book is also helpful for candidates interested in passing the ASQ certification exam for the Six Sigma Green Belt.
Title: What is Lean Six Sigma?
- Author: Michael L. George and David Rowlands
- Year of Release and Version: 2010, v2
- Publisher Information: Michael L. George is the founder and president of The George Group, the largest consulting practice in the United States. David Rowlands serves as the North American Solutions Group’s vice president of Lean Six Sigma.
- Goodreads Rating: 3.5
- Experience Level: Advanced
Details
This book gives readers a broad overview of how to take charge of Six Sigma methods to meet business goals, improve the workplace organization, and enhance customer service. This popular Lean Six Sigma book gives the reader a solid understanding of Six Sigma’s four critical aspects: Process improvement, speed and quality, data-based decision-making, and working together for maximum gain.
Title: The Six Sigma Handbook
- Author: Thomas Pyzdek and Paul A. Keller
- Year of Release and Version: 2000, v4
- Publisher Information: Thomas Pyzdek has worked in Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement for over 50 years.
- Goodreads Rating: 3.9
- Experience Level: Advanced
Details
This book is a complete guide for Six Sigma Green Belts, Black Belts, and managers of all levels. The book details Minitab software and opportunities to maximize resources to develop active Six Sigma organizations.
Preparation Tips for Six Sigma
Consider the following study strategies if you’re preparing for a Lean Six Sigma exam.
- Get access to a Lean Six Sigma study guide
- Take practice quizzes
- Make sure you have mastered the previous Six Sigma belt level and use that as a foundation to build up your skill set
- Commit yourself fully to the Six Sigma methodology
- Join an online Six Sigma forum
Do You Want Six Sigma Certification?
Self-study through Lean Six Sigma books is great, but you should check out this excellent Six Sigma course if you want solid certification training. This is a 24-week program that uses live interactive classes, case studies, and projects designed to impart valuable skills in Lean Six Sigma methodology. Additionally, the course is aligned with IASSC-Lean Six Sigma.
Glassdoor.com reports that Lean Six Sigma Black Belt professionals in the United States can make a yearly average of $146,937. There is always a strong demand for Six Sigma professionals.
So maximize your Six Sigma skills with this comprehensive bootcamp and secure your future in this fast-growing industry!
