Six Sigma is a methodology that enables organizations to increase the business effectiveness by reducing defects, reducing variation, eliminating non-value added elements, streamlining the business processes and thereby increasing the profitability and market share. It uses data and statistical techniques to measure and analyze the existing situations and develop solutions to improve a product, process or service.
Six Sigma uses a model called DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) to solve existing problems. It also uses a model call DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) to develop a new product, process, or service that would meet Six Sigma standards. It offers a wide range to tools and techniques that an organization can use to implement these models. To use these tools effectively, an organization should utilize the expertise of Certified Six Sigma practitioners like Green Belts, Black Belts, and Master Black Belts.
The Six Sigma Belts and Green Belt Exam
An organization requires commitment and a dedicated team to adapt Six Sigma. The team would consist of Black Belts, Green Belts, and other project team members. The Master Black Belt provides training and consultation to the team and is generally external to the team. The Black Belts provide a lead role in implementing Six Sigma and mentors the Green Belt. The Green Belts work full time on the Six Sigma projects.
Few years ago, there were no standard tests offers to be certified as a Six Sigma practitioner. Organizations and educational institutions offered their own training programs. Only recently ASQ (American Society for Quality) started offering standardized test to be certified as a Six Sigma practitioner and is being accepted increasingly. This article provides guidelines on preparing for Green Belt exam only.
How to Train For the Certification Exam: Green Belt Self-study Approach
There may be many institutions offering to train and certify as a Six Sigma professional. However, the curriculum and topics are common and any training program should help to take the certification offered by ASQ. To prepare for the certification exam, first, look for in-house training programs an organization may provide. Secondly, there are a number of training institutions like Villanova University, Motorola University and others that offer classroom as well as online training and in-house certification courses. Those would help to take the ASQ certification exam as well. Finally, if team members have enough statistical knowledge and familiar with many Six Sigma tools, they can prepare themselves.
When using a self-paced training, one should use the Body of Knowledge (BOK) curriculum document that contains the topics that will be tested in the certification exam and study those topics using a variety of sources. “The Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Handbook” published by ASQ press is the best bet for self-study. The book assumes that the candidate has basis knowledge in statistics.
How Long to Prepare And How Much to Take the Exam
If candidates are already practicing Six Sigma in their job, they just need to get familiar with the topics in the BOK and they may need about 6 to 8 weeks to prepare with daily study schedule. Those new to Six Sigma concepts need from 8 to 15 weeks. Although ASQ does not provide with a standard preparation material, it does provide a question bank and practice tests for $95 dollars with discount. The question bank is very useful to gauge the readiness for the exam and the questions are very similar to what will be asked in the real exam. The exam itself costs $335 for non-members and $195 for members. It costs $135 to become a full member. There are other levels of membership as listed in this table.
The certification is paper based and is offered only on specified dates at specified locations. The results are available a week after taking the exam. An email notification of the result is sent. The result is either a pass or fail and ASQ does not specify a passing score or percent. The certificate is sent my mail in about 4 weeks.
Green Belt Versus Black Belt and PMP Certification
Candidates can opt to take Green Belt or Black Belt exam based on their level of experience. A Green Belt exam is not a pre-requisite to take the Black Belt exam. The Black Belt exam requires that the candidate complete at least two Six Sigma related projects. The applicant should obtain two affidavits from project managers for each of the projects competed.
Often Six Sigma certification goes hand-in-hand with PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, as one is required to have Project Management skills to execute Six Sigma projects. A combination of these two certifications enhances the chances of career growth and job performance. The Six Sigma certification exam is not as difficult and confusing as the PMP exam as it is based on statistics, tools and techniques. Whereas, the PMP is based on situations and intricate details of project management processes and methodologies.
Refer to ASQ Website for more details
Prem Anand - The writer is educated in engineering and information management and is interested in reading non-fiction books. He is excited about his ...
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