Lean six-sigma is well defined as a process improvement methodology that is mainly used to remove waste, and inefficiency, eliminate hindrances and provide better customer requirements. It combines tools and techniques, methods, and lean and six-sigma principles into a robust methodology to enhance organization performance.
Let’s dive deep into the benefits of various levels in Lean Six-Sigma.
Advantages of Lean Six Sigma
If you are considering deploying Lean Six Sigma to your organization, there are a few potential benefits you need to think about. This section will help you to understand the benefits of Lean Six-Sigma.
Customer Loyalty
Quality is something most customers look for. You are far more likely to succeed in your business if customers are satisfied.
Talent Development
Deploying Lean Six-Sigma requires the team to understand Lean Six Sigma principles and their practical applications. The growth of an organization is associated with improved outcomes and upskilling your knowledge.
Improved Brand Value
It’s a well-known fact that customers trust and proceed with organizations that respond to their hindrances timely. Implementing Lean helps to set up a culture, processes, and practices that help build a customer success quotient, thereby improving the organization’s brand value.
Applicable Across Various Sectors
It’s a misconception that lean Six-Sigma applies to manufacture industries. But in the past few decades, lean applications can be seen in various other sectors such as IT, retail, and BFSI. Thus, lean six-sigma is proven to have cross-industry application capabilities.
Improved Employee Performance
It should be understood that lean six-sigma is not merely related to company management; instead, it is directly related to the team’s day-to-day work. Employees will perform better at their job and surpass the desired goals.
Customer Satisfaction
Implementing Lean Six-Sigma allows the organization to improve its business processes and quality control. This leads to a better-finished product adhering to various criteria like low defect rate, cost, and quality. A well-quality product leads to happy customers.
Lean Six-Sigma Belts
Lean professionals can be seen at various levels with different roles in the organization. These professionals are entitled to various color belts like yellow, green, black belts, and master black belts. These “belts” differentiate the roles based on skillset and experience level.
Let’s take a close look at these belts and their responsibilities:
Yellow Belt
The yellow belt professionals possess a basic understanding of lean six sigma. They don’t lead projects by themselves; instead, they support the team as a core team member or SMEs.
Greenbelt
The green belt professionals work under the guidance of black belt professionals. They possess a thorough understanding of DMAIC methodology. They are accountable for handling projects from concept to completion with their functional area. This level defines growth and development. They lead process improvement projects and assist black belts in analyzing the process gaps. They actively participate in quality-related projects and in resolving issues.
Black Belt
The black belt professionals possess a high-level understanding of lean principles, tools and techniques, and DMAIC methodology. They identify the non-value-added activities in the process and use specific tools to rectify them. They train yellow and green belt professionals.
Master Black Belt
Master black belt professionals possess comprehensive knowledge of six sigma methodology and statistical tools. They are accountable for ensuring sustainability, value, and quality of six sigma projects and translating high-level business goals into six sigma strategy. On the other hand, they are responsible for the following activities:
- Cross-functional leadership
- Mentor teams
- Removing hurdles and successful project execution
- Attain lean six sigma results
Other Lean Six-Sigma Roles
Sponsors
Sponsors are the professionals in an executive role. They set direction and priorities for the entire organization.
Champion
Champions are the top-level professionals who are responsible for allocating project resources and process improvements.
Process Owners
Process owners are responsible for the organization’s key processes and track process improvements. Their expertise in the domain is essential for the advancement of six sigma projects. Thus, the process owners must undergo a six-sigma orientation program.
How to Choose Lean Six-sigma Belt Certifications?
When you plan to step your career in lean six sigma, there are various certifications that you can choose to upskill your knowledge:
Yellow Belt Certification
This is the foundation level certification that every employee working for six sigma oriented organization should undertake.
Green Belt Certification
This is the second-level certification. Green belts work on an ad-hoc basis in a project. This certification act as a roadmap for your entire six-sigma journey.
Black Belt Certification
This is an advanced-level certification, which provides exposure to high-level six-sigma techniques. It is advisable to get green belt certification before moving towards a black belt. Once you are a black professional, you will be able to handle projects independently.
Master Black Belt Certification
This is the topmost level certification that mainly targets six-sigma coaches and mentors. This certification not only certifies you as a master of six sigma methodology but improves your coaching skills. Upon completion of black belt certification and having experience in handling six-sigma projects, you can take up Master Black Belt certification.
If you want to take up a champion or project sponsor job role, it’s mandatory to pursue yellow belt certification. And for a process owner job role, it’s essential to take up green belt certification.
So, choose the best certification for your requirement.
Lean professionals are hired for various positions within the organization:
- Lead Manufacturing Engineer
- Process Development Engineer
- Compliance Structural Engineer
- Reliability Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Director/Manager – Operational Excellence
- Business Process Analyst
- Lean Six Sigma Consultant
- Operating System Specialist
- Senior IT project manager
- Project Engineer
Conclusion
Lean methodology mainly focuses reduction of waste; on the other hand, six sigma focus on process reduction. However, it is equally essential to have both approaches are necessary for process improvements, optimizing resources, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Six sigma levels are gaining popularity in various sectors with it’s a significant role. Their roles and responsibilities are helpful during six sigma improvement projects. If you want to become a certified Lean Six Sigma professional, check out our Lean Six Sigma certification courses accredited by IASSC.
