5/8/2021 How to Study for Six Sigma - ToughNickel

JUN 1, 2020

How to Study for Six Sigma

TAMARA WILHITE

Tamara Wilhite is a technical writer, industrial engineer, mother of two, and published sci-fi
and horror author.

Six Sigma certification is a strong professional certification in a marketplace that values

those with a proven ability to improve the bottom line and product quality.

Six Sigma certifications, such as the Six Sigma black belt, are treated by some employers
like MBAs, with pay raises available to those who achieve additional education. Six Sigma
black belts stepping out into the consulting world can earn 80K or more for their expertise.

How do you study for Six Sigma certification? And how do you find a legitimate Six Sigma
program that fits your objectives?

Necessary Research Before You

Start Studying for a Six Sigma
Certificate

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Select a Six Sigma certification level to achieve. Do you need a basic understanding of
Six Sigma to complement your job? You should look into Six Sigma white belt or green
belt certification. Or will you be working as a Six Sigma expert, whether as a consultant
or training and managing Six Sigma teams? You should seek Six Sigma Black Belt
training. Are you already a Six Sigma Black Belt but want higher certification or the
ability to manage multiple Black Belts? You should take Master Black Belt training. I
personally hold a Six Sigma green belt, allowing me to move between IT help desk
management and process improvement initiatives in the IT department.

Determine which Six Sigma program is appropriate for your situation. If your focus is
quality, Six Sigma training is appropriate. If you need to balance resource management
with quality, take Lean Six Sigma coursework.

Decide whether or not you want training in the area or a certificate recognized by
almost all employers. The Motorola and GE Six Sigma programs are recognized by other
employers. Six Sigma training by the Institute of Industrial Engineers, the professional
organization for industrial engineers, or the American Society for Quality is widely
recognized by many employers. Six Sigma training by junior colleges and for-profit
schools may not be recognized by employers. Six Sigma coursework through a college,
especially one with a strong engineering school, may cost as much as a Master's
degree but carry with it professional recognition.

Be careful of online Six Sigma courses, since the best programs require proof of concept
by completing a Six Sigma project under the supervision of the Black Belt teaching the
course before awarding the certification. Legitimate online six sigma courses do exist,
but even these require supervised and validated projects to be completed.

Six Sigma Coursework

Enroll in the course. Six Sigma white belt and yellow belts are generally a few hours or a
one day course. Green belts will take several days of courses in probability, project
management, proper documentation, and statistical analysis in addition to completing
a short term project under the supervision of a Black Belt. Black belts spend four to six
weeks in a classroom in addition to the time spent working on a project in the field.

Select a Six Sigma project that can be completed within a few weeks but supports a
major business objective. Can you improve product throughput by eliminating a
bottleneck? Is there a major quality problem that you can help resolve? The best
projects support your current employer or will stand out on a resume when reviewed by
a future employer. Good projects also provide recommendations for further
improvements to be carried forward into the next quality circle.

Note: If you do not have an opportunity to do a Six Sigma project at work or do not have a
job at all, talk to the instructor. You may be able to work with companies that hire interns
from the college; you gain valuable experience while they would benefit from the project.

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Completing the Six Sigma Program

and Planning for the Rest of Your
Career
Complete a Six Sigma project. For those earning a white belt or yellow belt in Six Sigma,
volunteer to support a green belt or Black Belt project to gain experience. Previous Six
Sigma projects for lower belt certification cannot be reused for higher belt
certifications. For those who have already earned a lower Six Sigma belt, you will need
to complete a new, larger, and more complex project.

Document everything, since this project is an invaluable addition to your resume.

Receive your Six Sigma certification. Ensure that the coursework is recorded by the
educational institution in a form verifiable to employers. Do not walk away with only a
printed certificate for your wall after spending thousands of dollars on the coursework.

Use the financial receipt from your Six Sigma course to apply for employer educational
assistance for reimbursement of your coursework. If it is not reimbursed by your
employer, speak with a tax professional to determine whether or not the Six Sigma
course can be deducted as a learning expense or business expense.

The cost of six sigma training is often deductible as a business expense for engineers
and consultants. Contact a tax professional to find out if tuition for the six sigma course
can be deducted as a business expense or even an educational expense.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for
informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel
or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Comments
sofiagray on January 10, 2018:

I have not a great knowledge about the six sigma concept. But after read article i did
study about the six sigma certificate. When I study for the Six Sigma green certification,
there have write that this certification get for the 3 years course and green belt
certification is provide body of knowledge.

Tamara Wilhite (author) from Fort Worth, Texas on October 19, 2017:

brainmeasures Six Sigma jobs would be a whole other article.

brainmeasures from India on July 29, 2012:

I want to know about jobs in Six Sigma, you described lots of good points, I am expecting
some information about six sigma jobs.
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Tamara Wilhite (author) from Fort Worth, Texas on June 11, 2012:

I'm a six sigma green belt myself as well as an industrial engineer, jokingly referred to as
four years of six sigma and lean engineering coursework.

Simone Haruko Smith from San Francisco on June 11, 2012:

I've read some basic things about Six Sigma, but have not encountered much information
on becoming a Six Sigma expert. This is all rather good to know!

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