Understanding the basics of Six Sigma certification
To err is human. However, some errors come at a price. Reducing errors is the prime task of individuals working in all industries. It has become easier with the advent of technologies which help to reduce human errors to a certain extent. Despite the care taken by employees and the intervention of technologies, errors are still a big issue at the workplace. Keeping the errors to a minimal level is one of the biggest challenges that working people face.
Is there a panacea for errors? Eliminating all errors in your work may be impossible. However, the use of some effective strategies can help you to make your task accurate to a great extent. Six Sigma is a strategy that you can adopt to find the weaknesses in your work and improve them for the best outcome.
Six Sigma is a business management strategy that aims to minimize errors in a process and maximize profit. Improving the quality of products or services and ultimately ensuring customer satisfaction is the main idea behind implementing Six Sigma principles in business.
The best part is that it can be used in any industry or setting to find errors and improve productivity. So whatever be your job role, learning Six Sigma will help you acquire problem-solving skills and improve yourself as well as the overall functioning of an organization.
Six Sigma Methodologies
There are two popular methodologies used in Six Sigma- DMAIC and DMADV.
DMAIC methodology
This methodology is used for improving the existing business processes that fail to meet the desired end. The letters stand for:
- Define: Define the problem and project goals
- Measure: Measure the varied dimensions of the process to evaluate the performance
- Analyze: Find the root causes of the defects
- Improve: Improve the process by eliminating errors
- Control: Control the future performance
DMADV or DFSS methodology
This methodology is usually used for designing a new product or process. DMADV is also called Design for Six Sigma or DFSS.
- Define: Define the project goals
- Measure: Measure the different aspects of the current process
- Analyze: Analyse and find the root causes of the defects
- Design: Design a flawless new process to meet customer demands
- Verify: Validate the process by conducting a pilot study and then finalize
Benefits of Implementing Six Sigma
There are several advantages to implementing Six Sigma in your business. Following are the most important among them:
1. Improves customer loyalty
A business enterprise succeeds when it builds customer loyalty which happens as a result of customer satisfaction. The main reason behind the customers switching from one company to another is because they are unhappy with the service. Unfortunately, most of the companies don’t even know when their customers are dissatisfied with their service. Implementing Six Sigma will help companies realize the defects in their system and improve thereby ensuring customer retention.
2. Increases productivity
Six Sigma can improve the overall productivity of the business by helping employees manage their time effectively. Employees will set goals that they should achieve and apply the Six Sigma principles to those goals. They will prepare a plan which enables them to minimize distractions and work hard to achieve the set goals.
3. Improves quality
Six Sigma mainly focuses on improving the quality of processes by eliminating defects. This will help organizations to make their products comply with international standards.
4. Reduces operating costs
Reducing waste and saving time result in a low cost of production and higher profits. Inventory control, time management, saving energy and improving efficiency are the different measures that reap sustainable results. Six Sigma is also against producing low-quality products for saving money which can adversely affect customer satisfaction and finally decreased profits. So, the profit will be increased by producing quality products aimed at long-term benefits.
5. Fewer errors
An individual with Six Sigma certification can help his/her company find and eliminate repeatable errors. These errors would have compromised the quality of products that led to poor customer satisfaction. The companies can reduce complaint resolution time, customer complaints, spending and cost overruns.
Why learn Six Sigma?
Six Sigma certification is the best way to improve your leadership skills and business processes. Following are the other benefits that you will have:
- Find the defects in the business processes
- Become a specialist in process improvement
- Improve the quality of output
- Assume significant roles with better salaries
- Ensure optimum customer satisfaction
Six Sigma Belts and Certifications
When you hear the term ‘black belt’, the first thing that comes to your mind would be Karate. In Six Sigma, the certifications are named similar to the martial arts. The levels start from the basics called White Belt and end at the advanced level called Black Belt. Have a look at what each of the levels means.
- Six Sigma White Belt
White belt certification provides knowledge about the basic concepts of Six Sigma. They will assist in implementing a change in their organization and take part in local problem-solving tasks. They can acquire higher certifications like Yellow, Green and Black Belts after completion of White Belt.
2. Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Yellow Belt certification makes an individual thorough with the way in which Six Sigma works, how its concepts can be applied at the workplace and the areas where they have to concentrate as they learn the process.
3. Six Sigma Green Belt
People with Green Belt certification will focus on individual projects for finding resolutions to issues associated with quality improvement. They will have keen insight into the Six Sigma procedures and tools and should lead the Green Belt projects. They need to work under the Six Sigma Black Belt and assist them in carrying out Black Belt projects.
4. Six Sigma Black Belt
This is a top qualification in Six Sigma. An individual with a six sigma black belt certification will have an in-depth understanding of its theories and principles. They will lead the black belt projects and understand all aspects of the Six Sigma DMAIC model.
5. Six Sigma Master Black Belt
This is the highest level of Six Sigma certification. Individuals at this level can prepare strategies, develop key metrics and provide training for Black and Green Belts.
The certifying bodies
Following are the two main international certifying bodies of Six Sigma:
International Quality Federation
International Quality Federation (IQF) is an all-volunteer organization that helps individuals and organizations which work for process improvement. It has set strict criteria for getting certified as Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt.
ACI certification
The American Certification Institute (ACI) is a professional certification institute popular in the United States and also around the globe. It ensures the quality, professionalism, and credibility of professionals through training. ACI provides Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt certification courses.
What is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma is a strategy that strives to improve performance by reducing waste and saving time. It is a blend of two strategies called Lean and Six Sigma used to boost the quality of products/services. While Six Sigma focuses more on analyzing processes and reducing defects, Lean Six Sigma emphasizes waste reduction.
The exam procedure of six sigma training
The examination for Six Sigma is a bit different from others. It is a computer-based test to evaluate the ability of individuals to improve business processes using modern methods. The exam has two modules:
- Fundamentals: It consists of the questions and problems prepared to test the basic understanding of the tools of Six Sigma.
- Applications (not required for Green Belt): It includes the complex problems designed to test the problem-solving ability of the individuals.
Six Sigma certification will be a great leap forward in your career as it makes you specialists in finding errors in business. It is the best way for the employee to become a valuable asset for the company by helping them work towards perfection through cost-effective and time-bound strategies.
Do you want to become a certified Six Sigma professional? Blue Ocean provides the best Six Sigma Certification courses in Dubai allying with the international certifying bodies of IQF and ACI. The highly experienced Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt trainers will give you insights into the core concepts thereby making you a skilled professional.