FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are the courses designed as preparation for the IASSC exams or for individuals wanting to get a better understanding of the Lean Six Sigma methodology?
Our course is designed to produce effective practitioners of Lean Six Sigma. Our Lean Six Sigma Training Chicago Illinois classes are focused on the completion of a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt project for certification. We are not a “boot camp” for the IASSC test. If your goal is to take the IASSC test (as is the goal of many of our clients), then let us know and we will point you to resources, along with our course, that will prepare you for the IASSC test.
Are your courses more geared towards LEAN or Six Sigma? How would you differentiate the two?
Our course in geared towards both Lean and Six Sigma. The difference between the two methodologies are:
- The goal of Six Sigma is to eliminate defects, thereby improving quality and efficiency, by optimizing and improving all business processes.
- The goal of Lean is to cut out wasteful steps in the creation of a product so that only steps that directly add value to the customer are taken thereby streamlining the process.
Our course teaches the core tools of both methodologies. We practice the Pareto concept in the development and delivery of our curriculum. What this means is we teach the 20% of the tools that are used 80% of the time. This allows us to shorten our class delivery time to five days. For the other 80% of the tools, we give you references (articles, tutorials, etc.).
What is the deadline to complete the Lean Six Sigma project?
If you choose to complete the project option for certification, you are required to complete the project in no more than six (6) months from the last day of your class. We (SSDSI) will mentor you for up to six (6) months from the last day of your course. The project mentorship is included in the price you paid to attend the course.
Please seeLean Six Sigma Certification Optionsfor more information.
If you choose to take the IASSC test for your certification option, what is the deadline to take the IASSC test (once you have completed the course)?
If you choose to take the IASSC test for your certification option, there is no deadline to take the IASSC test after completion of our course. We suggest that that you wait no more than two weeks to complete the test so that the information you learned in class is still fresh in your mind.
If you choose to take the IASSC test, we will still offer mentorship of the project (or up to six (6) months from the last day of your course).
Please seeLean Six Sigma Certification Optionsfor more information.
If we decide to take the IASSC exam, will you supply us with resources we need to study from for the test?
Yes. In your Lean Six Sigma Training Chicago Illinois class, we will give you the extra resources to study in preparation for the IASSC examination.
What are the prerequisites to take the five (5) day Lean Six Sigma Black Belt course?
In order to take the 5 day Lean Six Sigma Black Belt course you must presently be certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt by either the IASSC (international Association for Six Sigma Certification), the ASQ (American Society for Quality) or SSDSI (our firm, Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc.). See Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Course Prerequisites for more information.
If you are not certified by one of these three sources, and you have required prerequisite Lean Six Sigma Green Belt knowledge, then you can take the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt test through the IASSC for $295. When you pass the test, you will then meet our prerequisite. See Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Course Prerequisites for more information.
If you presently do not have a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification and your goal is to become a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, you can choose our Lean Six Sigma Black Belt FAST-TRACK Program.
I see you offer public Green Belt courses followed by a Black Belt course in the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt FAST-TRACK Program. Is there a discount If a person registers for both classes?
We offer a 10% discount for three (3) or more employees registered from the same organization in the same class. If less than three employees registered from the same organization in the same class for both classes (the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt class and the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt class) the total cost would be $5,998.
See the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt FAST-TRACK Program for more information.
Upon completing your Green Belt or Black Belt course, how do you take the exam? Do you offer the IASSC exam at the end of the course, or is that something the individual would do on their own?
The IASSC Green Belt Exam and the IASSC Black Belt Exam are offered only by the IASSC for an additional fee (on top of our class fee). We (SSDSI) do not give the exam at the end of class. The IASSC Green Belt Exam and the IASSC Black Belt Exam are offered as an on-demand web based exam.
Can an individual take the IASSC test as well as have a Master Black Belt Mentor them through their project?
Yes. We (SSDSI) will offer to mentor you for up to six (6) months from the last day of your course whether you take the IASSC test or not. The project mentorship is included in the price you paid to attend the course.
What statistical software will we be using in class?
We will be using a 30-day trial license of the most recent version of Minitab. You will have the option to buy Minitab at the end of the 30-day trial. If you decide not to continue the license, we have free Excel Alternatives to the Minitab statistical analysis.
Do I need any prerequisite knowledge for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course (like statistics or a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification)?
No. You can come into our Lean Six Sigma Training Chicago Illinois class without any prerequisite knowledge. All you need is an open mind, the will to learn and the discipline to follow through to complete your certification.
Do you accept company Purchase Orders as payment for the Lean Six Sigma Public courses?
Yes, we accept company Purchase Orders as payment for the Lean Six Sigma Public courses. Please contact us at [emailprotected] or 866-922-6566 for more information.
Do you offer any financing options as payment for the Lean Six Sigma Training Chicago Illinois Public courses?
No. We do not offer any financing options as payment for the Lean Six Sigma Training Chicago Illinois Public courses. In order to reserve a seat in one of our classes, you will be required to submit payment in full prior to the class with either a credit card or a purchase order.
Do you provide Lean Six Sigma training onsite at an organization (as opposed to public training for multiple organizations at a training center)?
Yes. We provide Lean Six Sigma training onsite at an organization (as opposed to public training at for multiple organizations at a training center). See our Lean Six Sigma Onsite Training and Certification page for more information.
Are the online courses that you offer on-demand (meaning I can sign on to the course and take the course modules when I want to)? Or are they live courses with a live instructor?
Our LVC (Live Virtual Courses) are live courses with a live instructor. If you choose to take our LVC courses, you will have the option to attend a live training in any one of our training sites. For example, we may have a live training at one of our training centers in Dallas, Texas. You may be located in Denver, Colorado and not able to attend a local Denver class. You can sign onto the Dallas class through a WebEx session and attend the Dallas class virtually.
You also have the option of attending a pure LVC course. These courses are given only online with a live instructor.
For more information see Lean Six Sigma Live Virtual Classroom Certification Programs
Will my payment for the public course be refunded if I can’t attend the class?
Yes. If you decide to cancel your class, you will need to submit an official request for a refund 11 business days prior to the start of your scheduled class. To review our Public Training Cancellation Policy please visit https://sixsigmadsi.com/public-classroom-and-webinar-training-cancellation-policy/.
How long are the public Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt classes?
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt Public classes are one full week (5 consecutive days, 40 hours). Our public classes run Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.
Do you offer weekend or night public classes?
No. We do not offer evening or weekend public classes. All classes are Monday through Friday during typical business hours. If you require night or evening courses, your local university or technical school may be able to help.
FAQs
How difficult is Lean Six Sigma exam? ›
The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt exam is quite hard and often not easy to clear on the first attempt. Many students prepare for months and still end up failing. Good preparation materials, disciplined study, and the right mindset are needed to clear the exam.
How can I pass Six Sigma exam? ›- test yourself with practice questions.
- use the Lean Six Sigma study guide.
- take a Green Belt certification course.
- immerse yourself in the methodology.
- join a Six Sigma Green Belt forum.
Earning a six sigma certification is no small feat. The studies are involving. The exams are not easy to pass. More so, rising from one belt level to the next requires putting in years of actual work.
Is Lean Six Sigma training worth it? ›Bottom line: Lean Six Sigma certification is worth it to increase your salary and advance your career. And it is worth it for your company, which will benefit from the cost savings your process improvements produce.
What is the pass rate for Lean Six Sigma? ›The range of pass rates for Lean Six Sigma Certification exams ranges from 70% % to 100 % depending on country, company, industry and experience of the class. This is a wide range.
Does Six Sigma require math? ›The Six Sigma process is a laser-like approach, well-grounded in mathematics and statistics, to reducing variation in process output.
Can you retake a Lean Six Sigma exam? ›As per the IASSCs rules, you must wait a minimum of two weeks before attempting your retake. This is to allow you sufficient time to revise for the second attempt. The exam retake must be taken within 12 months from time of enrolment. What is Six Sigma?
Is Six Sigma exam open book? ›They are both open-book and non-timed. After multiple exams are successfully passed (requiring a minimum score of 70% on each exam), a new level of Six Sigma Certification is awarded.
How many days it will take to complete Six Sigma? ›How long does it take to complete each Six Sigma course? It takes 10 weeks to complete the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Online Certification course, 8 weeks for the Lean Principles course, and 16 weeks for the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt course.
How many times can I take the Six Sigma test? ›To pass each exam, 70% of the minimum score is required. A new level of Six Sigma belt is awarded after passing consecutive exams. The exam for Six Sigma Yellow Belt Exam consists of 11-chapter examinations. Applicants can attempt the exams for an unlimited number of times within 12 months of registration.
How long does it take to prepare for Six Sigma? ›
On average, it takes between 2 to 7 weeks to complete a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification program. The SSGI Green Belt program, developed by Dr.
How long is a Six Sigma certificate valid? ›The Quality Inspector (CQI), Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA), Quality Process Analyst (CQPA), Quality Technician (CQT), Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB), and Six Sigma Yellow Belt (SSYB) are lifetime certifications. They have no recertification requirements.
Does Lean Six Sigma increase salary? ›Experienced Lean Six Sigma certified practitioners routinely earn $100,000 or more and are among the highest-paid professionals around the globe.
Do employers look for Lean Six Sigma? ›Six Sigma Has Value for Employers, and for You
As businesses seek to optimize the value of their resources, many seek a lean approach that really works without sacrificing the commitment to customers and quality, and without damaging corporate culture.
Six Sigma experts are still in demand as businesses around the world want to reduce costs, streamline operations, and reduce waste. Because they understand how to do more with less resources, many organizations view employing Six Sigma professionals as an investment with a high return.
Can you skip Six Sigma belts? ›Do I need to complete the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt course before the Green Belt course? No. The Yellow Belt course is not a pre-requisite for the Green Belt course. It is intended to provide front-line staff, shop floor operators, etc.
What failure rate is 6 Sigma? ›Six Sigma quality – Six Sigma performance produces a defect-free product 99.99966% of the time; allowing only 3.4 errors per one million opportunities.
Is the Six Sigma exam multiple choice? ›The paper-and-pencil exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, and you are given 4 hours to complete it. The test is broken into six major sections: Overview: Six Sigma and the Organization (11 Questions)
Does Six Sigma have an exam? ›You can take the six sigma exam if you have more than three years of experience in one or more six sigma areas. However, if you lack experience and wish to study for the test, you can undertake the lean six sigma exam.
How do I prepare for Six Sigma? ›- Step 1: Understand the Management Philosophy of Your Organisation.
- Step 2:Choose between Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma.
- Step 3:Check Out Which Level Suits You.
- Step 4: Learn About the Tests Associated with it.
- Step 5: Enrol in a Training Course.
- Step 6:Obtain Your Certification.
Why is Six Sigma complicated? ›
Six Sigma inspects the business processes minute-by-minute and generates large amounts of empirical data, leading to time-consuming and complicated procedures. Also, because it is a quality improvement process at its root, adoption of its protocols often leads to an increase in the overall costs.
What are three common mistakes in Six Sigma? ›- Mistake #1: Training and Certification Goals are enough. ...
- Solutions. ...
- Mistake #2: Indifferent Attitude of Leadership. ...
- Solutions. ...
- Problem # 3: Faulty Strategies for Six Sigma Deployment. ...
- Solutions. ...
- Problem #4: Incorrect Six Sigma Project Selection. ...
- Solutions.
1. Lack of Management Support: The first reason or the prime reason for Six Sigma failure is the lack of management support. It is the support that comes from management commitment to provide the resources, including team members.
Does anyone care about Six Sigma anymore? ›Seeking Relevance. Six Sigma and its offspring, Lean Six Sigma, remain relevant in manufacturing and several service industries, including healthcare and transportation, where error reduction, efficiency, and consistency are critical to achieving optimal productivity, quality control, and customer satisfaction.
How many hours study for Six Sigma? ›How Much Time You Need to Prepare for a Six Sigma Exam. Like all things, this depends upon your level of knowledge going on in. For most people who have had good training, it takes at least 8 weeks of steady effort of a couple of hours a day. Of course if you have more time to spend per day, you can shorten this time.
Which Six Sigma certification should I get first? ›Yellow Belt: Serves as a basic introduction to Lean Six Sigma for those new to the domain. Green Belt: Intermediate program that prepares you to work on process improvement projects within a company. Black Belt: Advanced program that prepares you to manage and lead project teams.
How hard is it to get a green belt in Six Sigma? ›In order to be eligible for a Six Sigma Green Belt, you need to have 3 years of experience in a full-time position. The job must match one of the areas listed in the Green Belt body of knowledge, and additionally, it must specifically be full-time.
How long does it take to get a Yellow Belt at Six Sigma? ›It generally takes between 1 to 3 weeks to complete the Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification program. This program is designed for the entry-level user and the certification exam tests the member on their understanding of the key Yellow Belt practitioner roles.
What is the highest Six Sigma certification? ›- White Belt. ...
- Yellow Belt. ...
- Green Belt. ...
- Black Belt. ...
- Master Black Belt. ...
- Champion.
The White Belt Online training is approximately 4 hours. Attendees are provided with 30 days of access to complete the course at their own pace. This training is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Should I put Six Sigma Yellow belt on resume? ›
Adding Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt to your résumé proves your commitment to improving your business acumen and analytical skills, not to mention your commitment to improving the business within which you work. Six Sigma training also prepares students for a leadership role.
Which Six Sigma certification is most recognized in USA? ›Best Overall American Society for Quality
American Society for Quality (ASQ) is the best overall Six Sigma Certification provider because of its global reputation, rigorous exam prep and training, focus on subject mastery, and certification registry. ASQ was founded in 1946 and has members in over 130 countries.
Certifications in Lean Six Sigma can lead to a wide range of meaningful career opportunities, including management positions, at a wide variety of companies around the world.
What can I do after Six Sigma certification? ›Industries that rely on the expertise of Six Sigma professionals include automotive, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation. Green Belt certification is a requirement for many process engineering, quality assurance, and manufacturing jobs.
Does Six Sigma certification look good on a resume? ›One way to make yourself stand out is by adding certifications to your resume. Adding a Lean Six Sigma certification lets employers know you're serious about continuous improvement. The MSI Six Sigma certification programs are an excellent way to add to your skillset and impress potential employers.
What is the starting salary for Six Sigma? ›SIX Sigma Black Belt salary in India with less than 7 year of experience to 15 years ranges from ₹ 5.5 Lakhs to ₹ 25.3 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 17.6 Lakhs based on 44 latest salaries.
How much does Six Sigma pay in USA? ›| Job Title | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Improvement Manager | Range:$72k - $135k | Average:$102,400 |
| Process Engineer | Range:$67k - $119k | Average:$85,888 |
| Vice President (VP), Operations | Range:$124k - $240k | Average:$172,426 |
| Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer | Range:$64k - $117k | Average:$87,581 |
The Downside of Six Sigma
In some cases, it even leads to increased production costs. That is because the cost savings made by virtue of eliminating returned products, costly reworks, and defective products, are only a process improvement byproduct.
Incorrect Scope
Almost invariably, the failure of any Lean Six Sigma project can be traced to a scope that was too broad. Trying to minimize variation in an entire product, for example, is so defocused that little improvement can happen in any part of the product.
Many Fortune 500 firms, including Motorola, GE, Ford, Sony, ABB, Lockheed Martin, Kodak, and others, have adopted Six Sigma.
What risks does Lean Six Sigma introduce? ›
- Lack of Consistent Training. The first and more apparent risk Six Sigma faces is a lack of consistent training. ...
- Lack of Organization. As a result of inconsistent training, Six Sigma lacks overall organization. ...
- Loss of Transparency. ...
- Abundance of Illegitimate Training. ...
- Growth of a Poor Reputation.
When compared to the other levels, the Six Sigma black belt test is the most difficult and time-consuming. All that is required is commitment, experience, rigorous study, and time management, among other things.
Do companies really use Six Sigma? ›Six sigma is a very popular method in a business. This method is commonly used by companies to make improvements or development of a product until the quality is getting better continuously. Companies that use this method in improving the quality they provide will greatly win the market competition.
Which is better Lean or Six Sigma? ›Six Sigma is a better choice if your organization is looking to reduce variability and risk in a more complex environment. Lean might be the perfect fit for your organization if your organization requires a simple, ongoing methodology to direct innovation and improvement.
How long does it take to prepare for Lean Six Sigma certification? ›On average, it takes between 2 to 7 weeks to complete a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification program. The SSGI Green Belt program, developed by Dr.
How long does it take to study for Lean Six Sigma? ›It takes 10 weeks to complete the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Online Certification course, 8 weeks for the Lean Principles course, and 16 weeks for the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt course.
Is Lean Six Sigma open book exam? ›The Official CSSC Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification exam consists of 100 questions. It is an open-book format examination (we encourage the use of the free Self-Study Guide issued by The Council for Six Sigma Certification while taking the exam) that you will have 2 hours to complete.
Is there an exam for Lean Six Sigma? ›The IASSC Lean and Lean Six Sigma Certification Exams aim to measure a person's knowledge of the topics contained within the IASSC lean & Lean Six Sigma Body of Knowledge™. IASSC certification provides evidence of personal accomplishment in the mastery of the universally accepted IASSC Lean & Lean Six Sigma Standards.
Can you self study for Lean Six Sigma? ›The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Self-Study online programme provides the route to attaining benchmark British Quality Foundation Green Belt Certification. It is also great for delegates who simply would like to learn how to solve process problems or improve process performance through our Lean Six Sigma training.
How long will it take to get Six Sigma black belt? ›How long does lean six sigma black belt certification take? The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification takes between 1 to 3 months to complete, depending on the provider and project requirements. The average completion time for Black Belt certification through SSGI is 45 days.
What is the best way to learn Six Sigma? ›
To get your Six Sigma certification you must enroll in a certification course and pass an exam. Sometimes employers offer certification directly through their own organization. Otherwise, you can enroll in a course offered by universities, colleges, or certification companies.