Understanding Six Sigma Theory And How To Get Certified

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To understand six sigma certification, you will have to understand six sigma methodology. It is a theory that helps in quality management with the help of its tools. The tools are statistical, which in turn increases the accuracy of the results. It is done by finding ways to detect problems and employ other ways to improve the processes. The six sigma is utilized to get a near-perfect output that companies employ to improve product delivery and which builds on customer satisfaction and employee confidence.

The object of six sigma methodology is to bring in

  • Data-driven improvement in projects
  • There has to be defined sequence for the execution of the projects
  • There have to be value-targets for the specific steps in the projects

Ideally, for any business or industry, the application of six sigma helps reducing errors and waste to increase productivity.

Understanding the six sigma principles

  • There have to continuous endeavour to be able to achieve and convert into predictable process results that are crucial for the success of the business
  • Manufacturing, as well as business processes, have defined characteristics that are
  • Measurable
  • Analytical
  • Improvable
  • Controllable
  • The entire organization has to commit to working on sustained quality improvement, which the upper and middle management has to work on to achieve.
  • If the processes are defined, then it will be easier to determine the outcomes
  • There has to evaluation at each point as it would be easier to solve any mistakes and get on with the project faster
  • To keep the process consistent will save costs and also reduce defects

The methodologies run by the six sigma are

  • D- stands for defining the needs of the customer
  • M- measuring the important aspects of the processes involved in the project
  • A- you can analyze the data for any kind of error and rectify
  • I- it is improving on the processes to achieve perfection
  • C- having control over the processes and the way they are implemented

DMAIC

The six sigma theory does use some useful tools to analyze the processes and work out the outcomes such as root charts, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, process mapping, finding the five whys, critical to the quality tree, Pareto charts, statistical process control, business process mapping, value stream mapping, cause and effects diagram and finally the Taguchi method.

How to get the six sigma belts

The trained practitioners of the six sigma can help the company pick the right people so that they employ the right methods to achieve. Each level of leadership is awarded a belt as they would for martial arts.

  • The executive leadership would work out the various levels of hierarchy to delegate responsibility. The participants should be having the six sigma level training so that they can implement the methodology in the process the company undertakes.
  • The higher-level management selects the champions who will have to mentor the departmental heads who will be the black belts, and they look into the statistical analysis and correct execution of the project.
  • The black belts, in turn, will mentor the green belts. The green belts will lead the project along with their regular duties.
  • The yellow is a beginner to the concept of six sigma, so they will be given specific tasks to complete under the guidance of the green belts, such as making process maps looking to improving in one of the components of the processes that are part of the larger project.
  • The white belts will have only testing to do as part of the basic duties of the project.

Training and certification for the six sigma methodology

Several organizations provide the six sigma certification though there are many variations in the training imparted and schools of thought behind the principles they follow in imparting the six sigma theories. You can get trained either

  • Classroom
  • Onsite
  • Self-paced
  • Online
  • Combination of all

There is an examination to be passed, which can be given online or on paper.

Takeaway

The six sigma theory is a functional theory to put in practice and works for most industries. The efficiency depends on how well you adopt the principles and get the processes as efficient. Reduction of waste and quality check at every step of the way can be the best synopsis of six sigma theory to imbibe for your firm.