Lean is the approach that streamlines a process by eliminating the steps that do not contribute value to the process. It helps to reduce downtime, expenses, and wasted effort and improves the quality of the end-product or services provided. The primary goal of Lean methodology is to eliminate waste. Hence, a professional should try to acquaint himself/herself with the Six Sigma certification.
Six Sigma is a data-driven problem-solving framework that operates using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) strategy. Its goal is to achieve a defect-free process using continuous process improvement techniques.
Covered Topics
What is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma combines the principles of both Lean and Six Sigma. It is a data-driven methodology that prioritizes defect prevention over defect detection. It encourages the use of job standardization and workflow to decrease any variation in the process. As a consequence, any wastage and downtime due to errors are also reduced. By combining the philosophy of waste reduction from Lean, and the data-driven procedure of Six Sigma, it helps companies perform their best consistently by allowing them to prevent most mistakes that may arise in the process. Becoming a Lean Six Sigma professional is a great asset to any individual looking for a job in the process planning or management sector.
Key Elements of Lean Six Sigma
The key elements are:
Process: A vital aspect of Lean Six Sigma is constantly tweaking the processes involved in the production. To minimize any inaccuracies and reduce wastage, the process value chain must be established and constantly monitored and corrected. Lean Six Sigma emphasizes consistent process improvements to produce the best quality outputs on time.
Workers: Any well-defined process strategy must operate at the grassroots for maximum efficiency and success. Workers are a key element in Lean Six Sigma, as they are directly responsible for the execution of any planned operation. The employees must always be aware of any changes or tweaks to the process plan, to execute them properly and gain the desired results.
Customers: They drive every enterprise. They decide whether a product is of good quality or not. And, their satisfaction is the ultimate seal of approval. The directive of Lean Six Sigma is to eliminate wastage and produce the best possible output, and this is not possible without customers. Their feedback is what drives companies to change, and it dictates the bottom line of the business. It is important for any plan to ensure that it results in the customer gaining the best results at the lowest cost.
Importance of Lean Six Sigma
In today’s dynamic market ecosystem, it is crucial to stay with the changing times. All products and services need to have updated designs and features to stay relevant. Similarly, all process chains must be constantly updated to perform at peak efficiency.
Lean Six Sigma is based on continuous process modification and is data-driven. This means that the information available to the company is utilized to tweak the processes for better results. In a dynamic environment, the data reflects the changes that have to be made. And, this is utilized to its full potential using Lean Six Sigma. To be a qualified Lean Six Sigma professional, you must earn the Green Belt certification.
How to become a Lean Six Sigma Professional?
A certified Six Sigma Green Belt is someone who has a proper understanding of problem-solving skills, with an emphasis on the DMAIC model. It also showcases the capacity to work as a trained professional within the function-specific field of the organization. The Green Belt allows one to work on smaller and well-defined Six Sigma projects without having to earn the Black Belt. Notably, the Black Belt is for professionals who can cover more ground throughout their organization as an expert.
There are different ways by which you can earn a Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Those who have received ample training and acquired enough knowledge required to earn a Green Belt certification can directly sit for a standard comprehensive test, which will and shall cover topics relevant to Six Sigma in general.
There is also an alternative for individuals who are unfamiliar with it. Self-study guides and other resources are available that can be used to study on their own or with partners/trainers. These individuals will have to clear multiple short exams as they progress through different sections instead of a single, comprehensive test.
Additionally, you are able to apply for various levels of certifications, including White, Yellow, Green, and Black belts. The degree of your expertise will determine the size of the project you can undertake. It will also dictate how broad your knowledge is, and how much you can leverage it successfully outside your immediate area of expertise.
Why learn Six Sigma?
In the competitive job market, it is important to distinguish yourself from other traditional degree holders in a way that employers favor you over your competition. Six Sigma is a highly sought-after skill for almost all industries, as it can be applied across fields to streamline production, improving the bottom line of the company. The knowledge of Six Sigma can be applied across industry verticals, and this makes it a versatile skill sought after by companies.
It also helps you to contribute to your company in the long term. You can leverage your expertise to make improvements to the process plans under your consideration to reap long-term benefits. This will save resources by reducing wastage, improving the product and customer satisfaction. The same can be applied to business models and management procedures, allowing you to be versatile and improve your standing in the company.
All these benefits can be yours by earning a Green Belt in Six Sigma or beyond. No matter what career you aspire to be in, it is a versatile tool that can bring long-term benefits for you and your company. It will improve your standing, making you a contender for leadership roles. And, it also pays well. Its versatility also allows you to apply it across fields, adding to your flexibility as an individual. Overall, it is a valuable asset to your toolkit.
