How to Attain Lean Six Sigma Certification

Lean Six Sigma is fast becoming one of the coveted certification to possess. Professionals looking towards highly-qualified jobs are striving to get certified, while companies are forever on the lookout for people who are well versed with Lean Six Sigma methodologies and boast of a certification in the same. It surely isn’t an easy exam to crack and once the certification is in hand, there are unlimited professional opportunities to explore.

So, how does one get a Lean Six Sigma certification? Read on to find out.

Lean Six Sigma training covers the basic of Six Sigma. It is augmented by an array of various proven methods, tools and ideas that are set by the industry. This proven quality management tool focuses on improving productivity, transforming processes and reducing waste. Its certification encourages qualities like leadership, lateral thinking, team building, understanding and application of analytical tools, and other essential aspects of project management. There are different levels that one can achieve through Six Sigma Certification. These are

Most professionals aim for Green Belt and Black Belt certifications. To get certified for these two levels, the following steps need to be followed. It’s important to note that these steps are far more complex, and require greater detailing for achieving the Black Belt.

The first step is clearing a Six Sigma certification exam. Once the training is completed, a candidate has to complete written examinations that are mostly in the open book format. The Green Belt examination includes short answered questions, multiple choice questions that focus mainly on a series of concepts, and the simple tools of DMAIC improvement. If someone is well prepared, these areas are not tough to crack. The Black Belt examination is designed in such a way that it tests a candidate’s analytical and statistical skills.

Once the written exam is over, applicants have to submit the details of their complete project; which had been assigned during the course of their certification. The project, done through storyboard or documentation, has to be completed before the stated end date and has to be submitted for a review. The Lean Sigma and Green Belt applicants have to submit one completed DMAIC project, while the Black Belt candidates have to submit at least two.

The ones who have applied for a certification in Master Belt have to complete the above too, in addition to providing vent to comprehensive implementation experiences. These candidates have to demonstrate their mentoring and training capabilities as well. It is important that they clear this stage, as in future they would be filling the shoes of a mentor—which is a much coveted and very responsible position.

The next stage is an interview. Each candidate has to participate in an interview process that extends for over an hour or two. Here, examiners share their thoughts about the submitted projects and review them. Thereafter, the interview is focused on testing the soft skills of each candidate. The interviewer assesses the candidate’s leadership skills; tests whether he or she can respond and manage changes efficiently; and assesses his/ her general understanding of Lean Six Sigma tools.

After all these steps, the candidate receives an honest feedback in the form of a written report. This report reflects upon their performance in all the steps mentioned above. A successful interviewee is one who clears all these three steps and achieves the required scores for the certification. Others will be given a chance to work upon their weakness and improve their chances, through a repetition of these steps.

Now that the steps are clear, you need to decide when to get the certification, prepare really well, crack the exam, and get your certificate. The hard work put in at every step will indeed bear sweet fruits.

Get, set … Go!