Six Sigma Training: Buyer's Guide
The modern business environment demands not only that every company, director, manager and employee is working at optimum efficiency at all times but also that the efficiency is measurable and demonstrable. Six Sigma methodologies provide a framework for measurement and analysis of key business processes, enabling decision making based on verifiable data and the introduction of improvements whose impact can be tracked and checked through well chosen metrics.
Six Sigma training provides employees at any level within an organisation with the knowledge they need to understand and implement Six Sigma projects.
This Buyers’ Guide was written in partnership with Six Sigma Training Business Expert Claudius Consulting and aims to give you a head start in determining your Six Sigma training requirements and sourcing suitable suppliers.
"Six Sigma training is essential for manufacturing and service organisations committed to best practice. Six Sigma Black Belt, Green Belt and Yellow Belt training facilitates the development of world class service and manufacturing organisations. Claudius Consulting provides the very best in Six Sigma training and consulting and runs public, tailored in-house, e-learning and blended learning programmes."
Six Sigma: An Introduction
Electronics manufacturer Motorola developed Six Sigma as a business management strategy in 1986. The name Six Sigma derives from statistical techniques used to model manufacturing processes – a sigma rating gives information on how many defects a particular process would statistically be expected to produce. A six sigma process would be expected to produce only 3.4 defects per million. Motorola decided that all their manufacturing processes should be Six Sigma and the terminology rapidly became associated with the associated management techniques used to achieve that aim.
At this stage Six Sigma had already developed the following guiding principles:
- All business processes have features that can be measured and analysed;
- Continuous improvement through the minimisation of defects and reduced variability of outcomes is essential;
- All projects to improve processes must show a measurable financial return;
- Strong leadership is essential to implement process improvement and a tired hierarchy of Six Sigma Champions, Master Black Belts, Black Belts and Green Belts provides the appropriate leadership structure to lead and implement Six Sigma projects.
Six Sigma methods then became the focus of study for various professionals interested in process improvement who then generalised the concepts and applied them to processes outside of manufacturing environments. They did this by defining a defect as any outcome that does match customer expectation, opening up Six Sigma methods for use in any type of business.
Two new project methodologies were also derived: DMAIC, which concerns projects aimed at improving existing business processes and DMADV, or Design for Six Sigma, which concerns projects aimed at designing and implementing new processes. Each is a five step process which guides the practitioner through the project using defined measurement, statistical and analytical techniques to ensure the accomplishment of well defined project goals.
Lean Six Sigma is a synthesis of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies useful primarily for manufacturing companies where process flow and waste issues are relevant.
Six Sigma methodology is now used in companies the world over who want to implement cost cutting and quality improvement measures to their business processes in a scientific way where outcomes are measurable and verifiable.
Six Sigma Training Options
A vast array of Six Sigma training options are available to both organisations and individuals. The various stages of training and certification reflect the differing levels of Six Sigma familiarity required at different management levels:
- Introductory Course
A one day course to introduce the trainee to the fundamental concepts of Six Sigma and awareness of the tools and techniques available for use in Six Sigma projects. Useful for the individual who needs to know about Six Sigma but in uncertain whether they need a full course of training with certification.
- Yellow Belt
Sometimes also called a Foundation Green Belt, the Yellow Belt course provides a more in depth study of the Six Sigma project structure and provides some of the basic, non-statistical tools required for measurement and analysis. Usually lasts 3 to 5 days.
- Green Belt
Essential for team leaders who are going to be implementing Six Sigma projects. A 10 to 15 day course which provides the statistical tools and training in the use of statistical software required for real life projects.
- Black Belt
A 15 to 21 day course for potential designers and leaders of Six Sigma projects. The Black Belt course not only looks in depth at the five stages of the DMAIC programme but also provides the statistical tools and techniques for data management and analysis, as well as the ‘soft’ tools required for real life management of a Six Sigma project team.
- Master Black Belt
Further tools and management techniques are available to the Black Belt working at an enterprise wide level. Master Black Belts have the skills, knowledge and techniques required to train and mentor Black Belts and Green Belts working underneath them.
- Design for Six Sigma
A 2-5 day course covering the DMADV project methodology. Gives existing Green or Black Belt practitioners the additional tools required to design product and service solutions that match customer needs and expectations.
The content of courses varies between different training companies, hence the variation in course durations, so be careful to compare course outlines carefully.
Six Sigma Certification
There is no single body or authority that administrates or regulates Six Sigma training and certification. Various organisations exist which provide Six Sigma certification and these are recognised and respected by the business community at large to different degrees. The two main certifying bodies in the UK are the British Quality Foundation and BSI Group, both of which are widely recognised.
Green Belt and Black Belt certification both involve taking open book exams and completing work based projects.
Comparing Six Sigma Training Providers
When deciding upon a company to deliver your Six Sigma training a number of factors need to be taken into consideration. Whether you’re looking for open courses for one or two people or tailored in-house training for a number of people within your organisation you need to consider carefully:
- Course content
Does the course on offer provide all the content with which you need familiarity? Is the learning backed up by practical exercises which reinforce key concepts and demonstrate team dynamics or is it all lecture and book based?
- Software
Is the statistical software provided or will you need to purchase programmes like Minitab separately? Is a discount available from the training provider?
- Duration
Is the course long enough to allow the concepts to sink in? Is it unnecessarily long to justify extra expense?
- Certification
Is certification included in the price? If not, how much will it cost to purchase separately? Bear in mind that different provider’s courses are geared towards different certification bodies’ exams, so purchasing the two together is usually wisest.
For Open Courses:
- Location
Where is the training delivered? What are the implications for travel and accommodation for the trainees?
- Size of class
Is the class size small enough to allow each trainee sufficient attention?
For In-house courses
- Tailoring
How specific can the training company make the training to your organisation? Will they alter course content accordingly? Is this something you require or would you prefer candidates to pick up more transferrable skills?
- Expenses
Check for hidden charges like the trainer’s expenses.
Online Six Sigma
E-learning solutions are available from a number of sources as well as ‘blended learning’ which combines e-learning with class room based workshops and provides delegates with the opportunity to complete practical, group based exercises. For a company implementing its own Six Sigma training programme, administered by in-house Six Sigma Black Belts or Master Black Belts, online certification is available direct from the main certifying organisations.
Taking the time to explore as many options as possible and finding the right Six Sigma training solution is well worth it. Six Sigma provides a framework for continuous business improvement which leads to increased quality and lower costs. Properly trained and certified practitioners are in the best position to lead organisations towards the realisation of these goals.
This Buyers’ Guide was written in partnership with Six Sigma Training Business Expert Claudius Consulting.
Claudius Consulting is one of the few providers accredited and licensed to certify to British Quality Foundation (BQF) standards. They have also achieved recognised practice status through the Institute of Consulting which is the custodian of professional standards for business consultants. 'Institute of Consulting' recognised practices have demonstrated the ability to deliver impartial, professional and cost-effective interventions with the interest of the client at the centre of their work.
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