What Belt is the Right Fit?

Six Sigma uses belt terminology, very similar to Karate. The color of the belt represents a level of expertise. The requirements to accomplish a certification vary across the industry. To this writer’s disappointment, requirements have softened over the years in order to satisfy the demand for quick certification. That is a topic for another day. The information here maintains the more traditional view of certification.

White Belt

Of all the belts, this one has the least amount of expertise.  It is often achieved by attending a short overview of Lean Six Sigma.  A White Belt will have a broad understanding of what Six Sigma is, but not how to carry it out.

Yellow Belt

The Yellow Belt will attend a 2 or 3 day class that focuses on Data Collection, Root Cause Analysis and very Basic Analytical Tools.  The role of the Yellow Belt is to accomplish very basic process improvement initiatives within their job scope.  They are also used to support Green Belts and Black Belts in their projects through data collection.

There is generally no project requirement for certification of Yellow Belts.

Green Belt

Green Belts will attend a 5 to 10 day class, depending on whether Lean concepts are included. The Green Belt tools enable a person to do their job more effectively. Their projects are narrow in focus. The Green Belt will also be able to identify opportunities for process improvement and carry that idea through implementation.  Traditionally, a Green Belt will have the skills to:

• Define and Scope a Project
• Perform Root Cause Analysis
• Analyze Data Utilizing Basic Statistical Tools
• Identify and Implement an Improvement

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Certification is achieved after the course by completing a small process improvement project. The projects are generally within the everyday job scope of the Green Belt.

Black Belt

Black Belts are problem solving experts and are often used as full time resources in that regard.  They should be able to attack large, difficult problems across an organization. It is not necessary to have a Green Belt prior to Black Belt training, although some will utilize the Green Belt as a testing ground before jumping into the Black Belt.

The typical Black Belt class should be no less than 15 days. It is a great time commitment, but the pay-off is invaluable.  The Black Belt will learn at a greater depth than the Green Belt or Yellow Belt.  The class also involves a great deal of Statistical Analysis, which enables the Black Belt to understand the most difficult problems. Statistical software (often Minitab) is used to make the statistics less tedious and easier to interpret. Statistical analysis is the area that has “lightened up” in industry to make it more palatable to the masses.  In reality, a Black Belt may not be for everyone.

Traditionally, Black Belts will have the skill to:

• Define and Scope a Project
• Perform Root Cause Analysis
• Analyze Data Utilizing a Vast Array of Statistical Tools
• Identify and Implement a Large Improvement Project
• Teach, Mentor and Support Green Belts
• Guide Management in the Identification of Projects
• Manage Multiple Projects

Certification is achieved after the course is completed and a process improvement project is completed and approved.  These projects can be large and statistically challenging. They can take 6 months to a year to complete.  These projects take time, but the benefits can be great.  A Black Belt project can easily save between $75,000 and $1 million, depending on the scope of the project and the volume of the industry.

Master Black Belt

A Master Black Belt is the most experienced of the belts.  They have often been Black Belts for a number of years and have completed several process improvement projects.

A Master Black Belt can take on many different roles. They often lead Business Excellence or Continuous Improvement Departments. Master Black Belts serve as internal consultants to manage large, cross functional projects.  Master Black Belts are also utilized to train organizations in the methodology of Lean Six Sigma.

Master Black Belt training will include additional Lean, Statistics, Leadership Development, Education in Teaching and Mentoring. The additional training can take up to a year to complete.

Just as in Karate, it takes work to achieve the next highest level, but the pay-off and satisfaction is great.

If you are interested in signing up for one of our Ohio Six Sigma Consulting classes, you can visit our upcoming training page for classes that are already scheduled, or you can contact us to learn about our other Six Sigma Training opportunities.