When should a Six Sigma Yellow Belt consider getting their Green Belt Certification?
A professional with a Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification should consider getting their Green Belt certification when they have a solid understanding of the essential Six Sigma tools and techniques and have been actively involved in Six Sigma projects as a Yellow Belt.
This typically involves working on small projects and assisting Green Belts and Black Belts on larger projects. A Green Belt certification will allow them to lead their own projects and impact their organization more.
Having a Green Belt has many benefits over having just a Yellow Belt. Those benefits include:
- The ability to lead small projects or Kaizen events.
- The ability to work on Six Sigma projects full-time.
- A deeper understanding of tools and techniques for process improvement.
- Higher level of respect from other continuous improvement professionals.
The most obvious reason to consider getting your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is the additional knowledge you’ll gain regarding process improvement. Green Belts relies heavily on tools laid out in the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge, so let’s look at some of the processes you’ll learn more about:
Skills A Yellow Belt will gain during Green Belt training:
The equation y=f(x)
In mathematics, the equation y = f(x) is a function that relates an input variable (x) to an output variable (y) using a specific rule. The function is represented by the equation y = f(x), where x is the input variable and y is the output variable. The symbol “f” represents the function itself, which defines the relationship between x and y. For example, in the equation y = 2x + 3, “f” is a linear function that takes an input value of x and multiplies it by 2, then adds 3 to the result to give the output value of y.
Considering quality as seen by the customer
A business should consider customer perceptions of quality because it can significantly impact the business’s success. Quality, as seen by the customer, can affect customer satisfaction and loyalty, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. Additionally, higher perceived quality can lead to higher prices and increased profitability. On the other hand, poor quality can lead to customer dissatisfaction, negative word-of-mouth recommendations, and lost business. By considering customer perceptions of quality, a company can better understand the needs and expectations of its customers and take steps to meet or exceed those expectations.
Using Kaizen during a project
Six Sigma Yellow Belts may use Kaizen as a tool during a project, but Green Belt’s need a stronger understanding of the process.
Kaizen is a Japanese term that means “continuous improvement.” It is a philosophy and a set of practices focusing on making minor, incremental improvements to processes, products, and services.
Kaizen can be used to support Six Sigma projects by providing a framework for identifying and implementing small improvements to a process. The Kaizen approach can be used with Six Sigma tools to identify and eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belts use Kaizen as a tool to continuously improve the process they are responsible for, whereas Green Belts will use Kaizen across multiple business processes.
DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify)
A Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt relies strictly on the DMAIC process taught during training. A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt may use the DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify) variation during the design phase of a Six Sigma project.
The DMADV variation is a specific approach within the Six Sigma methodology used to design new or improve existing processes. It is used when creating a new product or process or making significant changes to an existing one.
The five phases of the DMADV variation are:
- Define: Identify the customer requirements, project goals, and scope.
- Measure: Identify and measure the key process characteristics.
- Analyze: Identify the root causes of any problems and the potential solutions.
- Design: Develop and design the new process or product.
- Verify: Verify that the new process or product meets the customer requirements and project goals.
Green Belts are individuals who have been trained in the advanced concepts and tools of Six Sigma, and typically lead Six Sigma projects.
Why do employers value process improvement skills?
Employers highly value process improvement skills because they enable employees to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in their work processes. This can lead to significant cost savings for the company and increased productivity and customer satisfaction.
One of the main reasons employers like employees with process improvement skills is that they can help to streamline operations. By identifying bottlenecks and areas of waste in the work process, employees with these skills can help to reduce the amount of time and resources needed to complete a task. This can result in significant cost savings for the company and increased productivity and efficiency. Green Belt’s have these skills, but Yellow Belt’s typically have a lower skill set.
Another reason employers value employees with process improvement skills is that they can help to improve customer satisfaction. By identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in the work process, employees with these skills can help to improve the speed and quality of the products or services provided to customers. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business, which is crucial for any company’s success.
Employers also appreciate employees with process improvement skills because they can help to identify and mitigate risks. By examining the work process and identifying potential areas of risk, employees with these skills can help to minimize the potential for accidents or errors. This can not only help to protect the company from liability but also protect employees from harm.
Organizations are looking to drive a culture of continuous improvement. By encouraging employees to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in their work processes, companies can create an environment where everyone is always looking for ways to improve. This mindset can lead to a more motivated and engaged workforce, ultimately driving overall business success.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, employers value employees with process improvement skills because they can help to streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, mitigate risks and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified professionals have these skills, whereas Yellow Belts will only have a general understanding of Six Sigma methods. These skills are becoming increasingly important in today’s fast-paced business environment. Companies that invest in their employees’ development in this area are likely to see significant benefits in terms of cost savings, productivity, and overall business success.
Rei Takako
BS, Business Management
Chicago, IL
