Got a question on this topic?
Quick Summary
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
Six Sigma is a set of management techniques that help organisations attain exceptional quality. Industries aim to boost operational efficiency and reduce defects in tasks. Six Sigma understands this requirement and enables you to learn strategies to enhance performance levels. You must also stay updated with the latest trends in Six Sigma to understand the latest methodologies that help with business growth. That is why you should enroll in the Six Sigma Certification program to learn more about various techniques and strategies. The certification helps in your professional development, equipping you with skills to streamline processes. It also enables you to identify defects and improve organisational efficiency.
The Six Sigma certification course is essential for professionals because it gives them the necessary Six Sigma tools to lead strategic initiatives. In this article, we will learn more about the certification, its levels, cost, and other details.
Six Sigma certification validates expertise in the Six Sigma methodology, which focuses on improving processes and reducing defects. Various institutions offer training and exams to certify professionals. Here’s why Six Sigma certification is valuable:
For professionals, Six Sigma certification is a powerful tool to boost efficiency, reduce waste, and drive innovation in their industries.
Six Sigma certification levels categorise themselves in the form of belts. Each belt level represents different degrees of expertise and leadership within Six Sigma methodologies. These include:
Six Sigma certification has different levels, each representing a professional’s expertise and role in process improvement.
Each Six Sigma Certification level builds on the previous one, allowing professionals to enhance their expertise and drive impactful changes in their industries.
Lean Six Sigma certification focuses on teaching a fact-based, data-driven philosophy of improvement across businesses. This course aims to teach you how to value stream mapping defect prevention over defect detection. This enables you to learn how to drive customer satisfaction and bottom-line results by promoting the use of work standardisation.
| Category | Six Sigma Certification | Lean Six Sigma Certification |
| Focus | Reducing defects and improving quality | Combination of defect reduction and waste elimination |
| Methodology | DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) | Integrates DMAIC with Lean principles |
| Tools | Emphasises statistical tools and techniques | Uses both Lean tools, like 5S, value stream mapping, and Six Sigma tools |
| Objective | Reducing process variation and improving process control | Improving efficiency by eliminating waste and reducing variation |
| Philosophy | Quality control through defect reduction | Quality control through waste reduction and defect reduction |
| Approach | Focuses on process improvement through statistical cost–benefit analysis | Integrates process improvement with a focus on flow and waste reduction |
| Certification Levels | White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, Master Black Belt | Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, Master Black Belt |
| Implementation | Within specific projects | Broader application across various processes |
| Training Content | Statistical cost–benefit analysis and process improvement | Combination of Lean principles and Six Sigma statistical cost–benefit analysis |
Lean Six Sigma certification has several benefits, which include:
Adding the Lean Six Sigma certification to your job application shows you can help improve business operations. This gives you a significant advantage over other candidates who do not have similar skills.
Lean Six Sigma training enables you to deliver a real-world improvement project with support and mentoring. It means you can build the expertise to manage lean projects and implement process improvements across businesses.
Having a Lean Six Sigma certification on your resume means you are committed to continuous improvement. You also have the required knowledge and skills to impact an organisation positively. Hence, the certification makes you more marketable and helps you get more job opportunities.
Here is an overview of the Lean Six Sigma certification process. It usually involves integrating Lean principles with Six Sigma methodologies. This helps you focus on both quality improvement and waste reduction. The certification enables professionals to streamline processes and eliminate inefficiencies across businesses.
There are some crucial steps involved in the Six Sigma certification process. These include:
You must understand whether your organisation or industry requires a Six Sigma framework. This involves knowing the industry’s organisational philosophy. You can pursue the course if you feel Six Sigma can help your organisation prevent product defects.
Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma may work towards the same goal but have different functionalities. Understand the difference between both practices and select the one that suits your organisational needs.
As mentioned earlier, Six Sigma certification has different belt levels depending on your level of expertise. Choose the belt level that suits your requirements and get started with your course.
The levels related to the Six Sigma methodology require varied tools and techniques. You must analyse the methods related to the certification course and undertake tests accordingly.
The final step is to enroll in a training course of your choice after selecting your belt level. Then, you must undertake the associated test to get the final certification.
Here are the requirements and prerequisites of each Six Sigma certification level.
Here are some recommended courses and study materials for Six Sigma.
Courses:
Here’s a straightforward guide on how to get your Six Sigma Certification:
There are several benefits of Six Sigma certification that help professionals enhance their career prospects. These include:
The Six Sigma certification is highly regarded across several industries. It also helps showcase your commitment to quality and excellence. That is why several companies may consider you for leadership roles to lead critical projects.
Employers recognise the value stream mapping of Six Sigma professionals in driving operational excellence across businesses. This ultimately drives operational excellence and helps achieve cost savings. The business, in turn, offers you higher salaries for your specialised skills.
The Six Sigma certification process provides training in quality management and process improvement. You learn to apply statistical tools and methodologies to identify and eliminate defects and optimise processes. These skills are critical for improving the quality of products and services in any business environment.
Several industries value stream mapping a Six Sigma certification. Here is a look at some of these industry names and their associated roles
Roles: Quality Control Manager, Process Engineer, Operations Manager
Roles: Healthcare Administrator, Process Improvement Consultant, Quality Improvement Manager
Roles: Financial Analyst, Risk Manager, Process Improvement Specialist
Roles: IT Project Manager, Quality Assurance Analyst, Process Improvement Consultant
Here are some great reasons to consider getting Lean Six Sigma Certification:
Six Sigma certification is important because it helps you enhance operational processes and eliminate inefficiencies across organisations. The certification also helps you use Six Sigma methodologies to improve the workflow of any business. As a professional, you can choose this course if you want to enhance your career growth. Doing the certification enables you to gain a competitive advantage in the job market. It also enables you to showcase your commitment to quality and continuous improvement, increasing your value stream mapping to potential employers.
Six Sigma certification also holds long-term value stream mapping because it equips you with several transferable skills. These unique skills apply to all industries, ensuring you remain a valuable asset for businesses.
Six Sigma training costs can vary since there’s no standardization in how it’s offered. For instance, if a company decides to train its employees in Six Sigma, they probably won’t charge the employees directly. Instead, they’ll have to cover expenses like hiring qualified trainers, creating the training materials, and the time employees spend away from their regular duties.
If you’re looking to get certified, there are several options available. Purdue University, The Council for Six Sigma Certification, and Project Management Academy all offer certification tests. Project Management Academy has a fee of $495 for the Beginner Yellow Belt, $2,295 for the Green Belt Training, and $3,595 for the Black Belt Training.
On the other hand, The Council for Six Sigma Certification provides a free white belt certification, with costs of $99 for a yellow belt, $159 for a green belt, and $229 for a black belt (the primary certifications—level II ones will cost more).
Here are some tips to help you ace the Six Sigma certification exam:
Six Sigma Certification is highly significant for professionals and organizations striving for excellence. It equips individuals with the skills to use statistical tools for quality management, enhancing process efficiency and reducing errors. Certified professionals are seen as experts in problem-solving, making them valuable assets in any industry focused on productivity and cost-effectiveness.
The certification positively impacts career advancement by opening opportunities for leadership roles and higher salaries, as businesses seek trained individuals to drive continuous improvement. It translates to better quality control, customer satisfaction, and profitability for organizations. Professionals are encouraged to pursue Six Sigma Certification, as it adds a strong, versatile competency to their skill set, aligning with the goals of modern businesses.
Ans. Six Sigma certification is a course that recognises expertise in quality management and process improvement. It has its roots in statistical methodology. The certification also focuses on reducing defects and improving the quality of operational processes. It involves rigorous training in various statistical management techniques, like project management and cost–benefit analysis.
Ans. The Six Sigma certification levels are in the form of belts. They include the yellow belt, green belt, brown belt, black belt, and master black belt. Each belt implies a different level of expertise and understanding of Six Sigma methodologies. Achieving higher belt levels shows deeper knowledge.
Ans. The Six Sigma certification cost depends on the belts you choose for your course. Currently, the white belt course is free. The yellow belt and the green belt cost ₹8274.51 and ₹13,289.36, respectively. Meanwhile, the Six Sigma black belt certification cost is ₹19,140.02. You may have to pay a little more for advanced certifications.
Ans. A Six Sigma certification is beneficial for both companies and individuals. The course usually emphasises quality and efficiency. It means you can gain experience in project management and advance your career if you become Six Sigma certified. The certification can also lead to higher earning potential and make you a valuable professional.
Ans. Consider the study material, the cost of training for taking a certifying exam, and the exam format when choosing your course. This also involves verifying the reputation of organisations certifying your Six Sigma credential. You can find more information from the reviews posted in the Council for Six Sigma Certification’s provider directory.
Ans. Achieving the pinnacle of manufacturing excellence means delivering products without errors 99.99966% of the time. To reach this goal, Six Sigma training emphasizes the creation of management processes that consistently produce nearly flawless outcomes, whether in manufacturing or any other business endeavor.
Ans. Six Sigma gets its name from the statistical term “sigma,” which represents one standard deviation within a data set. The concept suggests that a process should only produce defects after six standard deviations have been accounted for. When a process operates at Six Sigma quality, it means that there are only 3.4 defects for every million opportunities, showcasing an exceptionally high level of precision and reliability.
Ans. Six Sigma focuses on pinpointing and minimizing errors while enhancing the efficiency of business operations. Its main goal is to ensure customer satisfaction, and to reach this aim, a variety of techniques are employed to boost the performance of products or business processes.
Ans. The cost of Six Sigma certification depends on the level you choose. Exam fees typically range from INR 7,000 to INR 52,000.
Editor's Recommendations
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
