Six Sigma Training

Six Sigma Classes Tailored to Your Business

Six Sigma training reduces variations causing defects that are underestimated in the cost structures of an organization.

We show you how to implement Six Sigma and reduce process variation in everything you do. By reducing variation, your organization can significantly reduce cost, improve cycle times, eliminate customer complaints, and drastically improve your corporate bottom line.

The basic premise of the Six Sigma Philosophy is to reduce variation. Variation causes defects that are underestimated in the cost structures of an organization. Reducing defects by definition reduces variation. By reducing variation, one becomes predictable.  With predictability comes profitability. Our approach is to begin with management commitment  It requires management commitment to effect change, and unless the process by which work is executed is changed, no improvement will occur.  Management must understand the path that will be followed and recognize that important and significant decisions must be made to provide the environment for improvement.

The tools and techniques that Six Sigma Specialists provide are embodied in the chart above. The first requirement is to measure the performance parameter of interest. This could be manufacturing performance, or the performance of the output of an administrative assistant. Whatever is to be improved must have an appropriate measurement system associated with it. One of the first things that is needed is to establish the metrics by which the organization or process is to be measured  In many cases, these metrics do not exist and it is management that needs to establish these metrics and goals. The management training sessions identify the path and tools needed to develop the metrics for the organization. Analysis of the results of these measurements will provide a direction for change, establish improvements by changing the process that generates the performance parameter and then, provide controls to assure that the improvements implemented do not deteriorate.

Below each step are the tools that are appropriate to that step. Six Sigma Specialists, Inc. provide the training and mentoring required for successful implementation. Management must be trained in the concepts and clearly understand their role in achieving results. They are the providers of the resources and control the level of success. Engineers and subject matter experts require a deeper understanding of the tools and techniques so they know when and where to call in the experts. We refer to this as Six Sigma Green Belt training. The process improvement experts are referred to as the Six Sigma Black Belts. They have complete understanding of the tools, techniques and analysis to provide superior direction for improvement activity. They are usually devoted full time to the problems and improvement requirements of the organization.

Selection of Black Belt candidates is a very important factor in the success of the Six Sigma implementation. Six Sigma Specialists can assist you in developing the profile and characteristics that can result in an effective Black Belt in your organization.

Unless the vision of the organization is to be on a continuous road to improvement, limited success will be achieved. Management provides the direction and resources. Black Belts assist the whole organization in making the right changes in the organization to achieve the vision. Green Belts assist and provide technical guidance. The whole organization, with understanding and vision, moves en masse toward the goal.

Each wave of Black Belts, Green Belts, and Management training moves toward achieving the critical mass necessary to become self-sufficient and self-fulfilling. The first wave provides the first successes which, when celebrated, encourage the rest of the organization to continue moving forward. There is a pull on the trained employees to share their knowledge. There is a pull by the organization to learn more about "Six Sigma". Black Belts, with experience, will become "Master Black Belts" able to train, mentor and direct the Six Sigma initiatives in your organization.

Then, one moves the concept out to the supply base. Generally, as work progresses in process improvement, the root cause is often found to be in the supply base. When this occurs, selected suppliers can be brought "on board" by including their problem solvers in the next wave of training. Their "at home" projects will be the problems and issues that are important to you. The data will do the talking and commercial issues are minimized.

Described below is the curriculum associated with one strategic approach. It is not the only approach and Six Sigma Specialists can structure a strategy that is appropriate to the present capability, size and affordability level of any organization.

Six Sigma Training Strategy
The Six Sigma Specialists Training Strategy is to provide four levels of training. The first level is for executive management  It is our strong belief that without the commitment of the top levels of the organization, Six Sigma deployment and success will not drive the bottom line. Therefore, we highly recommend a one day overview session for upper management and a one week overview session for mangers of green belts and black belts. The second level is green belt training. Green belts are the more populous of the belts. They are a large resource of knowledgeable doers who assist the Black Belts in getting the data. The third level is the Six Sigma Black Belts, the experts in the organization for planning, executing, and analyzing the data for process improvement. The fourth level is the Six Sigma Master Black Belt. These are the technical gurus and are well versed in all the techniques, Six Sigma training strategies, and process improvement metrics for the organization.

University of South Florida
Six Sigma Specialists are associated with the University of South Florida (USF) in providing a public Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt certification program. Our instructors for the classes provide the curriculum in accordance with a certification of attainment from USF.

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Program
Six Sigma has become a successful, well documented process improvement initiative that, when properly executed, brings significant results across many facets of the organization. In order to achieve these results, an organization typically develops their internal experts or “Black Belts”. The University of South Florida is providing an external vehicle to attain the status of “Black Belt” so that you can reap the many benefits such a certification would provide. As a Black Belt, you would have the capability of understanding the process by which any problem you might encounter can be successfully resolved in as short a time as management allows. Your ability to influence your organization will dramatically improve. There are Black Belts in every organizational function from manufacturing to marketing.

Who Should Attend

• Anyone who wants an in-depth understanding of the Six Sigma process
• Anyone who has been given the challenge to implement Six Sigma
• Anyone working in an organization already deploying Six Sigma
• Anyone who loves to make improvements in how work gets done
• Anyone who would like their organization to implement Six Sigma

Introduction to Six Sigma Level I

• 1 day classroom
• Certificate of Completion

Management Level I

• 1 week classroom
• Certificate of Completion

Green Belt Level II

• 2 weeks classroom – 5 weeks duration
• Diploma: Course Completion and Project Presentation

Black Belt Level III

• 4 weeks classroom – 5 months duration
• Diploma: Course Completion
• Certification: Projects Implementation and Presentation

Statistical Tools Level III

• 1 – 3 days
• Certificate of Completion

Master Black Belt Level IV

• 3 weeks classroom – 5 months duration