FAQ Information centre

Six Sigma is the leading method for process optimisation. Historically originating in quality management, Six Sigma has established itself over the last decades as the leading method for process optimisation in companies and consultancies.
Six Sigma is a holistic method and is applied on four levels:

• Company philosophy
• Project management (DMAIC)
• Tools (Lean Management)
• Statistical procedures

Six Sigma can be applied at all of these four levels without considering the other levels. However, it only becomes holistic and a breakthrough strategy when management implements Top Down Six Sigma across all these many levels.

Six Sigma improvement projects are led by specially trained staff. The leadership psychology concept of Six Sigma is based on the role definitions, which are inspired by the rank markers of Japanese martial arts.

The Green Belt is located in middle management and includes people who participate in projects as team members or also manage smaller projects themselves – reporting to a Black Belt.

The Black Belt works on a full-time basis as a Six Sigma improvement expert. He takes on project management tasks and has in-depth knowledge in the application of the various Six Sigma methods. Black Belts’ role description calls for the implementation of four improvement projects per year with a resulting cost saving of €200,000 each, as well as the higher-level supervision of approximately four other projects.

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is a global knowledge-based community of quality professionals with nearly 80,000 members. It is responsible for the promotion and advancement of quality tools, principles and practices.

The ASQ®️ is responsible for the promotion and advancement of quality tools, principles and practices.

Effective cost control while maintaining the highest standards make this unbeatable price possible.

All prices plus VAT.

The DMAIC process is the core process for Six Sigma improvements and is used to improve existing products and processes. It extends from the definition (Define) of, for example, customer needs, through the corresponding data collection (Measure) and the analysis (Analyze) of the data, e.g. with regard to possible causes for deviations from defined performance targets, to the implementation of improvements (Improve) and the control (Control) of the implemented measures. For each of the process phases, the Six Sigma concept provides a variety of different methods.

• Six Sigma Yellow Belt according to the ASQ Six Sigma Body of Knowledge: None
• Six Sigma Green Belt according to the ASQ Six Sigma Body of Knowledge: None
• Six Sigma Black Belt according to the ASQ Six Sigma Body of Knowledge: Six Sigma Green Belt certification
• Six Sigma Master Black Belt according to the ASQ Six Sigma Body of Knowledge: Six Sigma Black Belt certification and 2 completed Black Belt projects, including presentation in the course
• Six Sigma Champion according to the ASQ Six Sigma Body of Knowledge: None

No, Six Sigma Green Belt certification to any other standard is sufficient. The same applies to the Six Sigma Black Belt certification which is required for participation in the Six Sigma Master Black Belt according to the ASQ Six Sigma Body of Knowledge.

Basically, the Green Belt training is divided into a theoretical and a practical part

The practical part provides for the successful application of the Six Sigma methodology. We have developed role plays and experiments that are worked on during the training. The following aspects are considered in the practical part:

• Are measurable results achieved?
• General support for improvement initiatives?
• Was the knowledge gained shared with others?
• Were the tools or methodology applied in the day-to-day workflow?
• Identification of further potentials for improvement

The factually and technically correct application of the tools is assessed by our auditors.

In order to become a “Certified Six Sigma Green Belt”, you must take a two-hour exam at the end of the last day of training with us.

In order to become a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, you must take the exam at the end of the last day of training with us.

To achieve Certified Black Belt status, proof of the Green Belt course with us and project experience is required.
There are the following ways for you to provide this proof:

• You have acquired the Green Belt (certificate as pdf)
• You have at least 3 years of work experience

Do you have questions about the recognition of your project experience? Please contact us! We will be happy to assist you in evaluating your previous projects and experience in Six Sigma.

For Green Belt training, six of the following eight tool categories must be applied:

Project Strategy: The DMAIC methodology must be recognisable and progressed through its stages.

Process flow charts: This includes both SIPOC and detailed flow charts as well as the collection of influencing factors (inputs) and results (outputs).

Cause and effect analysis (e.g. Ishikawa or U&W matrix)

Management of key figures:This includes graphical and statistical evaluations.

Evaluation of measurement tools: Either a Gage-R&R study or an attributive agreement analysis must be presented.

FMEA or risk analysis must be applied.

Statistical test methods: At least one of the test methods must be used. These include t-test, analysis of variance, median tests, regression, chi-square test, proportion test and logistic regression.

At least one of the test methods must be used.

Rule and control strategy:To ensure the consistency of an introduced improvement, a meaningful rule loop must be introduced.

For black belt training, eight of the following ten tool categories must be applied:

Project Strategy: The DMAIC methodology must be recognisable and progressed through its stages.

Process flow charts: This includes both SIPOC and detailed flow charts as well as the collection of influencing factors (inputs) and results (outputs).

Cause and effect analysis (e.g. Ishikawa or U&W matrix)

Management of key figures:This includes graphical and statistical evaluations.

Evaluation of measurement tools: Either a Gage-R&R study or an attributive agreement analysis must be presented.

FMEA or risk analysis must be applied.

Statistical test methods: At least one of the test methods must be used. These include t-test, analysis of variance, median tests, regression, chi-square test, proportion test and logistic regression.

Experience test: At least one of the test methods must be used.

Experimental strategy:This includes constructing statistical experimental designs or setting up a multi-vari study.

Analysis of more complex experiments:This includes the evaluation of series of experiments with several influencing factors or results.

Rule and control strategy: To ensure the consistency of an introduced improvement, a meaningful rule loop must be introduced.

Our live online seminars have the same structure as our Classroom courses. The only difference is that the training takes place live in a digital environment.

You will receive instructions and dial-in details from your instructor usually two working days before the training starts.

For more information about our live online seminars, please visit our subpage on this topic.

Does an exam have to be taken for certification?

For all Six Sigma certifications, except for the Six Sigma Master Black Belt, an clasroom or online exam must be taken at the end of the training.

The exam lasts 2 hours and includes a total of 20 open questions. To pass, you need 60%, i.e. 12 correctly answered questions.
The examination is conducted according to the open-book principle, which means that you may use all the materials of the course in the examination.

The examination regulations of the Six Sigma College Düsseldorf can be found ➚here.

Yes, our ➚Six Sigma certificates are internationally recognised.

Lean Six Sigma is the combination of the Six Sigma concept with the methods of Lean Management. Lean management refers to the set of thinking principles, methods and procedures for efficiently designing the entire value chain of industrial goods. It enables the successful application of the Six Sigma methodology across the entire value chain, thus including not only the company itself but also upstream and downstream production stages.

For our Black Belt trainings, the statistical software Minitab 18 is a requirement. A perpetual single-user licence for Minitab 18 can be obtained directly from the manufacturer.

You can find detailed directions to the Six Sigma College Düsseldorf (SSCD) in Düsseldorf ➚here.

We are also happy to help you find a suitable hotel.

We offer you the opportunity to attend our fully-fledged live online seminars from the comfort of your own home, or attend our face-to-face courses following our hygiene concept.