Six Sigma Certification Requirements

Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma are the few certifications in everyone's mind who want to start a career in quality management. Two distinct tracks are Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma. The key difference is that the philosophy is Lean and the programme is Six Sigma. Six Sigma does not strive to alter the organisational culture while Lean tries to reorganise the employees' culture and behaviour. Lean Six Sigma is thus both a programme and a philosophy. From the viewpoint of enhancement, Six Sigma reduces variance and Lean reduces waste. Six Sigma seeks to achieve a process efficiency of 3.4 defects per million and Lean focuses on speed development.

Six Sigma Certification

Six Sigma is a collection of tools and techniques that businesses use to improve manufacturing processes, eradicate errors, and ensure quality. Six Sigma certification helps verify and eliminate risks, flaws or defects in the business process by accredited professionals.

In general, having a Six Sigma Certification allows people to have a certain level of experience and to show their competence. The certification will help you become a process improvement professional and will develop your credibility.

Six Sigma Certification Levels

The Six Sigma Certification comes at different skill levels: White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, and Master Black Belt.

Deciding on the Six Sigma Certification Level which is best for you

• Understand your role in the organisation
• Consider your career ambition
• Select the Six Sigma Certification Level

Choosing the Right Governing Body

There are multiple governing bodies that offer Six Sigma Certification and the certification varies according to the organization's guidelines. You can obtain certifications from governing bodies such as the American Society of Quality (ASQ), International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) and TÜV SÜD. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) ensures that, according to global industry standards, professional Six Sigma training and certifications are performed. IASSC concentrates on the Lean Six Sigma which combines lean manufacturing processes and principles within the structure of Six Sigma. TÜV SÜD is globally recognised for its training & certification programmes and currently supports more than 20,000 companies with a customer base.

Six Sigma Certification Eligibility

The eligibility of the Six Sigma certification depends on the belt you are seeking to obtain. Each belt requires a different set of qualifications that should be completed before you can take the certification exam and earn the Six Sigma belt. The criteria for Six Sigma certification are the Six Sigma belts you already have, your job experience, the number of Six Sigma projects you have done, roles and responsibilities, and the validity of your certification in Six Sigma projects.

What are the conditions for taking the Six Sigma exam?

If you want to be Six Sigma certified, you should have interest in analyzing and solving quality problems first. This implies that you have worked with Six Sigma, Lean project management, or any other quality-related projects.

Who claimed to have implemented it successfully ?

These are some of the companies that claimed to have incorporated Six Sigma in some form or another successfully:

• 3M
• Amazon
• Atos
• BAE Systems
• Bank of America
• Bechtel
• Boeing
• Caterpillar Inc
• Dell
• Ford Motor Company
• Inventec
• Motorola
• United States Army
• Wipro