What is a Six Sigma Certification?

Six Sigma certification is a test that a person has mastered a recognized method of developing professional skills. Six Sigma certifications are awarded by level using a belt grading system similar to that used in karate training.

Six Sigma is a set of quality management methods and tools developed in the 1980s and adopted by American corporations, including General Electric. The development of the Six Sigma system is credited to Bill Smith, a Motorola engineer, and the name was registered by Motorola in 1993.

There is no standard Six Sigma curriculum. Programs are offered by many colleges both online and on campus, and many corporations offer them at home.

Key Findings

• Six Sigma is a set of quality management methods and tools that are widely used by American corporations.
• Six Sigma originated as a method of minimizing errors or defects in manufacturing processes.
• Since then, he has had a pervasive influence on management practice in the US and abroad.

Understanding Six Sigma Certification

The name Six Sigma comes from the statistical method of modeling the manufacturing process, which is as free from errors or defects as possible. In statistics, six sigma indicates a probability of 3.4 defects per million items produced. This is the highest level to strive for, delivering error-free product 99.99966% of the time.

Thus, Six Sigma Master Black Belt Training focuses on the development of management processes that reliably lead to virtually zero-defect results in manufacturing or any other business activity. To achieve its goal, it uses a number of statistical and data analysis tools.

Six Sigma Belt Levels

The belt awarded by a Six Sigma certification corresponds to the position in the business that the employee holds in the organization. They are earned through both hands-on experience and training courses.

• A white belt is awarded for completing an entry level review.
• The Yellow Belt is awarded for helping a project on a practical level.
• The Green Belt is awarded for the study of Six Sigma principles and their implementation under the guidance of a Black Belt.
• A Black Belt plans and executes projects using Six Sigma principles.
• The Black Belt Master manages the implementation of Six Sigma projects by function.
• The champion is the senior manager responsible for implementing Six Sigma across all departments.

Short review

Many Six Sigma programs are offered by corporations and colleges. However, there is no standard curriculum.

No standards

There is no single standard or organization that sets the standard for certifying Six Sigma belts. Each company or school defines its own criteria.

In some organizations, certification may require the successful completion of an exam or series of exams. In other cases, the individual must complete a series of Six Sigma projects. Certification services charge a fee.