What is Six Sigma Green Belt Training: What it is, why it Matters?

Green Belt

Six Sigma is an approach that was initially invented by Motorola in late 1986. Its main goal was to remove errors from the system. It was designed to remove uncertainty i.e., variation from the system for it to perform in a predictable manner by yielding predictable results. Since this methodology is dependent on data, for it to be effective and followed by others, it was broken down into five phases including:  

• In the first phase ‘Define’, the expectations of the process with respect to the customer are set in order to ensure that the customer’s experience gets improved with the process.  

• In the second phase ‘Measure’, the present performance of the process is measured from the customer’s perspective. This is done so that the analysis of the process can be carried out effectively based on its actual performance.  
• In the third phase ‘Analyse’, the product is studied using the data obtained from the first two phases to understand the “root cause” behind the variation occurring in the product.  
• In the fourth phase ‘Improve’, once the issue behind the variation is identified, a set of solutions are developed and further tested to make sure that the variation gets reduced. 
• The last phase ‘Control’ is where after the solution is implemented and all the supporting systems are upgraded, the product is put “under control” to make sure that the improved solution is implemented completely and accurately and that the performance does not start to degrade post its implementation.

Who are “Green Belts”? 

Green Belts are individuals who are very skilled and strong team players. They aim at improving the quality of the process using the methodology of “Six Sigma” and work towards translating this approach into action in the real world. The Six Sigma Green Belts play a vital role in improving processes by inspecting data and removing variance. Green Belts operate under Black Belts in the organization.

What is the Six Sigma Green Belt Training? 

Since “green belts” i.e., these people form the heart of the Six Sigma approach, it is important to know everything related to the methodology inside out before being able to drive it effectively. This training focuses on teaching people about certain concepts of prime importance including continuous improvement and waste reduction amongst many others.  

What are the prerequisites to get Six Sigma Green belt certified? 

There are no prerequisites required to be able to appear for the IASSC Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Exam. Although it is not compulsory, it is advisable for the candidates appearing for the examination to get training from a reputed institution. In addition to this, the chances of being able to crack the exam are higher if one has hands-on experience working on Six Sigma. IASSC also offers a Green Belt Evaluation Exam which the candidates can take in order to be sure whether they are ready to appear for the main certification exam.  

The Green Belt Certification Exam:  

The exam comprises 100 questions for which 3 hours are given to the candidates. The exam contains around 20 true/false questions and includes an additional set of 10 un-graded questions. 

What is the importance of getting Six Sigma Green Belt Certified? 

In the kind of competitive world that we live in with hundreds and thousands of products being produced daily, the sole differentiating factor is the “quality” of the product that an organisation offers. Six Sigma is what helps firms get this edge over others and achieve success. Out of the numerous benefits that one can get from this Green Belt certification, some have been listed below: 

• The certification helps the organization that the individual works for and play crucial roles in helping them make decisions by solving complex problems. 

• Good quality products attract great customer loyalty. With the help of this certification, you can help your organization make a better line of products thereby attracting a large customer base. 
• Six Sigma can be used to differentiate your firm and keep it ahead of the competitors. Six Sigma can help you make complex decisions by giving you the confidence and the expertise required. 
• Getting Six Sigma Green Belt certified widens the scope of career opportunities available for you since you can opt for anything ranging between a Six Sigma Consultant to the Director of Performance Excellence. 
• You can rise to higher managerial positions and add value to every industry be it HR, IT, marketing, or aerospace. 
• You can also start earning well in your job once you get through this certification. It states that the national average salary for a Green Belt in 2016 is $83000 per year in the United States. 

Six Sigma not only helps one become a process improvement specialist but also helps in enhancing their reliability. There are numerous certification levels available in Six Sigma Certification which differ with the level of skills required. These include Six Sigma White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, and finally Master Black Belt, which is the highest level of certification achievable in Six Sigma. 

So, now that you have a fairly good idea as to what Six Sigma Green Belt is and how to get Six Sigma Green Belt certified, make sure that you opt for a good and professional training course to be able to dive into the concepts and get a good understanding. You can find online courses with a lot of value-added content that can help you crack the IASSC and ASQ certifications. These courses include quizzes, exercises, tests, etc. Getting a certification will not only help improve your industry knowledge but will also help you stand out from the competition. Six Sigma certified professionals are better placed in the organization and the industry. Six Sigma belts can also significantly increase your salary. According to PayScale, a Six Sigma Black Belt salary in the United States is $98,000 annually on average, while a Six Sigma Green Belt salary is $82,000.