All You Need To Know About Six Sigma
When it comes to process management and quality control certifications that can boost one's career, Six Sigma credentials are sure to come up. Yet, Six Sigma isn't just a certification. Let's take a closer look at what Six Sigma is really about.
Six Sigma is a management philosophy, strategy and collection of approaches united by the goal of reducing defects in products and services. Six Sigma sets high targets in improving process output that include collecting data and analyzing data, and implementing changes to improve the processes to achieve visible and quantified results.
Six Sigma Philosophy
To understand the philosophy behind Six Sigma, let's start by looking at the name. Sigma is a Greek letter which is now commonly used to denote variation from a standard. Therefore, Six Sigma methodology is built around identifying and measuring defects in a process, and then systematically eliminating them.
Six Sigma strategy was originally developed by Motorola in 1980s, but it was fully implemented by General Electric almost a decade later. Today, Six Sigma is highly popular with companies from different industries, however, its primary focus remains in manufacturing.
Six Sigma employs two different approaches: DMAIC and DMADV. Six Sigma DMAIC is used for projects aimed at improving an existing business process while Six Sigma DMADV targets projects aimed at creating new product or process designs. Six Sigma certified professionals, especially Six Sigma Black Belt and Six Sigma Lean Black Belt (essentially this is a certified Six Sigma trainer) are expected to be experts in both methodologies.
According to supporters of Six Sigma methodology, using Six Sigma tools can lead up to 50% cost reduction and streamlined processes, which includes improved project and manufacturing timelines, reduced pollution and increased customer satisfaction as Six Sigma focuses on better understanding and addressing customer requirements. These factors motivate more and more companies to invest in implementing Six Sigma methodology and train their staff to become Six Sigma certified professionals.
Achieving Six Sigma Certifications
Unlike most other certification programs, Six Sigma does not have a centralized certifying body that manages and carries out certifications. Most Six Sigma certifications are either tied to the companies and target their staff, or are available from independent providers. This explains a variety of training materials available for Six Sigma certification exam preparation.
If you are based in the United States, check out the American Society for Quality. This organization offers a written exam to those candidates willing to obtain Six Sigma Black Belt certification. This is an excellent step to take as Six Sigma Black Belt certification holders are reported to earn at least 20% higher salaries compared to their counterparts who do not hold this credential. Overall, depending on the level of your expertise and professional background, you need to choose one of the following Six Sigma Certification levels:
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- Six Sigma Lean & DFSS
Preparing for Six Sigma Certification Exams
Since Six Sigma certifications aren't managed from a centralized body, there is a number of organizations that offer Six Sigma exams, along with Six Sigma certification exam preparation materials. Many of Six Sigma learning materials include textbooks or online reading materials, and many providers of exam preparation materials also insist on candidates taking part-time Six Sigma classed – either online or offline. Although this might be a good experience for some, most candidates do not have enough time to attend such classes due to full-time jobs and other commitments. If this sounds like you, then you need to find reliable Six Sigma exam preparation materials that can get you certified fast. More importantly, these materials need to contain real Six Sigma exam questions and answers that have been verified by experienced Six Sigma professionals who hold Six Sigma Lean Black Belt certifications. Our preparation materials tick all the boxes, including real questions and answers, which have been reviewed and verified by experienced holders of top Six Sigma certifications.
