Six Sigma Certification

Often, when we come across words like Six Sigma and Six Sigma Certification, we are left ruminating over the subject. One ponders how big corporations save billions of dollars just by implementing Six Sigma strategy. For example, GE Capital saved 2 billion dollars in 1999 by implementing Six Sigma. Imagine, 2 billion dollars!! Yes, this is what Six Sigma can do to your business. Let's answer a few questions about Six Sigma and Six Sigma Certification to help us understand this concept better.

What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is basically a business process management scheme developed by Bill Smith, an engineer at Motorola. It was meant to improve the manufacturing and business processes by keying out the defects and removing them. It uses a lot of quality management instructions, which include various statistical methods creating several layers of people inside an organization. It is a management philosophy having a customer-oriented approach, where the main focus is on minimizing the errors.

What is Six Sigma Certification?

Six Sigma Certification confirms an individual's expertise in particular competencies, with regard to the quality management skills which, when applied, works to eliminate and prevent errors. However, it does not indicate that the person is capable of limitless improvement processes; it only implies his competency in the subject matter. It is documented proof, just like any other certification which is acquired after studying.

What is Needed for Six Sigma Certification?

Six Sigma certification entails learning the appropriate skills and subject matter, passing a written test with good grades, and then exhibiting the skills and learning in an active environment. The study material can be purchased from any Six Sigma training and consulting company. Usually, these companies provide a combined package which includes the classroom training and the study material. There are different Six Sigma levels; green belt, black belt and master black belt.

The companies which are new to Six Sigma tend to refer the proficiency tests of the training company, whereas companies like GE and Motorola, who have been performing in-house training for years, give their own written tests. After the completion of the training, individuals are required to apply the learned classroom concepts on one or two live projects. This is where many certification companies differ: while, some companies require the candidate to finish one project for green belt and two for black belt; other companies might have different targets set to achieve the green belt or black belt levels.

Do I Need Six Sigma Certification?

This is an individual's choice. Anyone can get the certification, but one needs to be serious about it. Sometimes, an employer may need a candidate to get Six Sigma certified so as to add profits to the company; while at other times, the candidate himself may want to get certified due to various reasons. One of the reasons is to increase their marketability.

Cost of Six Sigma Certification

Companies spend a lot of money to train employees for Six Sigma Certification. The figure may sometimes even reach 30,000 dollars. The cost can vary from company to company depending on factors like location (where the training is received), and whether the training is online or offline.

A lot of effort and dedication is required for the Six Sigma implementation to succeed, but once implemented properly, the organization is destined for higher profits. The benefits are tangible as well as intangible. Intangible results can be in the form of customer loyalty, which adds to the reputation and prestige of the company.

There are numerous benefits of Six Sigma Certification. It brings satisfaction to the customers, increases shareholder's value, and decreases employee attrition. In today's world, due to these various benefits, Six Sigma is considered an essential business growth strategy for any organization.