The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from MSI is an advanced certification from the world-renowned Lean and Six Sigma statistical process control methods.
This high-level certification proves your knowledge of and ability to implement advanced lean manufacturing principles with a focus on reducing defects, waste, and other inefficiencies to positively impact profitability, quality, speed to market, lead time, and cost reduction by identifying and eliminating processes that do not add value.
But what does that mean? What are the benefits of becoming a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt? How do you become one? Keep reading for everything you need to know about the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from MSI.
What’s the Purpose of a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Lean Six Sigma Black Belts are also known as change agents. Their job is implementing Lean Six Sigma process improvements using the DMAIC and DFSS methodologies.
For many companies, Lean Six Sigma Black Belts are the backbone of their Lean Six Sigma projects. They possess specialized skills and knowledge in various aspects of changing processes. This ability helps to make improvements that directly impact customers and productivity.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belts are well-rounded in their knowledge of Lean Six Sigma, have gained significant experience with projects, and can coach Green Belts. After completing the Black Belt assignment, a business leader is typically promoted to Master Black Belt or another significant leadership role.
How to Get Certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from MSI
To become a certified Black Belt, one must first acquire Green Belt certification and complete at least two verified projects. They must also have at least three years of experience in one or more core knowledge areas.
The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from MSI Certification enables professionals to do the following:
- Master Lean Six Sigma principles, methodologies, roles, deliverables, and statistical tools. These include the Critical to Quality (CTQ) metrics and DMAIC method (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) that drive quality improvement decisions across all process areas.
- Acquire the leadership skills necessary to oversee multiple teams working on various improvement areas, as well as mentoring and coaching methods for providing feedback.
- Understand and use cutting-edge analytical, planning, and implementation techniques to steer significant Lean Six Sigma programs from conception to completion.These include measurement systems analysis (MSA), hypothesis testing, statistical process control (SPC), failure mode, and effects analysis(FMEA).
Tips For Maintaining the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from MSI Certification
After completing your Black Belt training, you’ll need to continue learning to maintain and enhance your skills.
To keep their certification, Certified Black Belts must attain a predetermined number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within a predetermined time frame.
A different choice is to seek additional Lean Six Sigma training or finish your coursework in other pertinent fields like project management or business analysis.
To remain a Black Belt, you must continue to take classes and gain new skills. However, the benefits you reap from doing so—which include helping your company and advancing your own career—are worthwhile.
What does it Take to Become a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt?
1. Customer Support
Black Belts should be aware that customers are the final judges of product or service quality and communicate this understanding to everyone at all times.
Process improvement starts with understanding customers’ needs. Because eliminating process variation is such an effective way of improving business results, a Black Belt candidate should be able to explain how this elimination enhances business.
2. Passion
No one lacking passion and drive will likely succeed in Six Sigma. Black Belts must have a positive outlook, be self-driven, and always willing—even eager—to step up as leaders. Their passion often gives them the strength to continue working on a project, even when it becomes difficult.
3. Business Acumen
Black Belts are leaders in the business world, not just quality managers. As such, they should possess knowledge of their company’s operations and be able to link projects directly back to corporate goals.
4. Communication
As coaches, trainers, and mentors, Black Belts must be effective communicators—especially when dealing with employees at all levels.
The key to being an effective communicator is understanding the needs and concerns of your audience. This includes knowing how to choose the right medium for communicating with each audience. For example, if you’re trying to get the point across to one of your employees, would it be better to talk face-to-face or send an email? If you’re trying to coach someone with trouble with a particular skill, would it be more effective to demonstrate it yourself or use videos and books as teaching aids?
5. Change Leadership
Black Belts are known for facilitating change and gaining support within their organization. Whether they occupy senior or entry-level positions, Black Belts can bring about positive changes in how things get done around the office.
6. Leader and Team Player
As a Black Belt, you must be able to work with and lead teams. You can understand how group dynamics form and positively influence others by motivating them towards goals or encouraging collaboration within the team overall.
7. Diverse Work Experience
Black Belts who understand process improvement’s technical and non-technical aspects are likely to be more successful than those with only one type of expertise. A Black Belt with a diverse background can better see the big picture.
8. Technical Aptitude
A Black Belt candidate should be able to collect and analyze data to formulate strategies for improvement.
9. Results-Oriented
Ultimately, Black Belts should be able to demonstrate the value they’ve brought to their organization. When working on a project, a black belt must properly identify process issues and create an actionable business improvement plan that will resolve them and enable the organization to increase productivity, efficiency, and profitability.
SUMMARY
A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification can be a valuable addition to your resume. This level of training can help you climb the corporate ladder at your current company and make you a more attractive candidate to future employers. However, you must commit time and energy to earn the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. It’s not something that can be achieved overnight. The good news is that the journey is both rewarding and challenging, and it can be extremely fulfilling when you achieve success.
