Six Sigma Certification – Introduction
Businesses all over the world are just not employing technologies to make profits, but also management tools, techniques and methodologies called Six Sigma to speed their business transformation in the global arena. Professionals who are working on Six Sigma in organizations are required to get Six Sigma Certification to climb up the career ladder and contribute much better to the company’s business makeover. The certification also helps you sharpen your analytical skills thereby bettering your business insights and expertise. The certification looks attractive on your resume at the same time you will be rewarded handsomely too. Being a Six Sigma professional and obtaining a Six Sigma certification is indeed a feather on your cap!
Six Sigma – What is it?
Six Sigma is a collection of techniques and tools used in organizations to enhance the processes, eradicate defects and assure quality. Six Sigma was initially developed by Motorola in the eighties. It was later adopted by various companies like GE, Toyota and Ford across the globe.
Businesses using Six Sigma methodology can strategize its plan of action and derive increased profits, is cost-effective and marked process improvements in the organization. Also, the managers in the organization can create vision based on the Six Sigma methodology to a positive ambience with defect-free end products.
Six Sigma methodology can be used in a cyclic pattern to keep bettering the various processes. In other words, if there is improvement of a process using the methodology, then that improved process is further improved by application of the methodology again. So therefore the quality keeps changing and improving, which will gain the customer’s trust and loyalty.
The organization sets the benchmark, which will certainly benefit everybody involved. It is a goal-oriented methodology where they work on stringent deadlines and work towards the goal in order to achieve them. It is also a statistical measure, which is data-driven used to identify the root cause of the problem and fix them thereby enhancing the process performance.
Six Sigma is a documented methodology which is robust, practical and convenient for problem-solving. You can expect high yielding returns by with this methodology.
DMAIC and DMADV are two important Six Sigma methodologies that are utilized in various domains across businesses.
There are a number of defects or errors that arise in the business processes in organizations that hamper the quality of end products. So these are Six Sigma defects, which are not in line with the customer specifications. There is a Six Sigma calculator used to calculate these defects and rectify them and here is where certified Six Sigma professionals come into play.
In this blog we will learn about why this certification has garnered so much of attention globally.
The idea behind Six Sigma
Now we know that Six Sigma is a business methodology developed to increase profitability and improve customer satisfaction by streamlining operations, eradicating defects thereby raising the bars as far as quality is concerned in an organization. The Lean Six Sigma certification is used to assess professionals who are well-versed in spotting defects, risks and errors and proficient enough to eliminate them from the business process. Your profile as a Six Sigma professional with a Six Sigma certification will make you a reliable and credible specialist in transforming a business process. The certification will enhance your business acumen and expertise. Individuals who have a particular level of experience are best fit for the Six Sigma certification and will be tested for their proficiency in Six Sigma methodologies, tools and techniques. There is a marked difference between certified and noncertified professionals. Right from the competency to the salary package, there is difference between them.
Six Sigma Certification Levels
The Six Sigma certification levels are as follows: White belt, yellow belt, green belt, black belt and Master Black belt. Let us understand what each of these belts are.
White Belt: Professionals who hold a white belt are expected to work with problem-solving teams and assist them in projects. They should be proficient in the basic Six Sigma concepts. They should also involve themselves in change management in a company. This is a just a beginner certification, but surely is a step forward to secure better jobs in the future.
Yellow belt: Professionals who possess a Six Sigma yellow belt are expected to get involved in problem-solving projects and they must have expertise in Six Sigma concepts as to how and where to use it.
Green belt: Here professionals apply quality standards to resolve problems and perform complex analysis to identify them. Data analysis and collection is undertaken by them and work simultaneously with higher black belt professionals and also involve in leading projects.
Black belt: Professionals with a black belt lead teams and play a vital role in business transformation. They are also involved in training their subordinates. They enhance the end products the business processes produce so that the customer is satisfied with the products.
Master Black belt: Being the top-most level of certification, professionals are required to devise strategies, lead training teams and build quality metrics for an efficient transformation of a business. This is certification fetches one with a very high paying salary.
What are the requirements for the certification?
The eligibility for the Six Sigma Green Belt certification mainly depends on the number of years of experience, qualifications, the number of projects undertaken, roles and responsibilities held in your organization. There are no prerequisites for the appearing for the exam. To achieve the professional credential of IASSC certified Green Belt (IASSC-CGB™), you have to secure a minimum score of 70%. You will receive the certification from the International Association for Six Sigma Certification.
Why should you get the Six Sigma Certification?
Let us delve into the top reasons as to why you should get the Six Sigma certification.
Decrease risks, eradicate errors and defects in a business process:
It is crucial for any organization to lessen defects and errors for business processes to function efficiently. For this, Six Sigma certified professionals assist the organization and are valuable players in the organization. This is one of the top reasons why Six Sigma professionals are expected to obtain their certification.
Increase the efficiency of business processes:
On completion of the Six Sigma certification, you will strive to better the business processes and use Six Sigma techniques to analyse the processes and improve their efficiency. The existing practices of the business are reviewed by the certified professionals and they comprehend as to how it affects the quality performance. Certified professionals maintain the quality standards of business processes and make sure that the project in hand does not move away from the designed metrics. Certified professionals have a great role to play in the organization and their contribution is truly valued by the business at large.
Enhance your worth in various domains:
Six Sigma certified enables professionals to try their luck in securing jobs across industries. The certification is valid across various domains like IT, marketing, banking, finance, telecom, HR etc. The kind of domain does not really count if you hold a Six Sigma certification, as the techniques and tools developed by Six Sigma can be applied in every industry and thus professionals have plenty of jobs to consider. These professionals help to improve business profits, adhere to quality standards and overall ensure the proper functioning of businesses.
Guarantee the compliance with quality metrics:
Six Sigma professionals ensure that the quality standards are met in every business process they are involved in. All the entities involved in the business process like the suppliers and producers assess the application of Six Sigma standards to the end products. Being a Six Sigma certified professional, compliance with quality metrics is necessary to maintain contracts that are profitable.
Secure utmost customer satisfaction:
The quality of the services the business offers will surely affect the customer satisfaction. To win over your customers and increase their loyalty, Six Sigma certified professionals apply quality metrics to products and services to reduce the defects and achieve high level customer satisfaction.
A skill-set to grab attention in the organization:
Six Sigma certification is a skill-set that will help you take initiatives and be at the forefront in your organization. It is certainly a credential, which will make you stand out in the crowd from your other uncertified counterparts. It is a skill-set that can be applied across industries and you are sure to grab attention in the job market too.
Climb up the corporate ladder:
By securing a Six Sigma certification, you are eligible for top positions like managers, team leads etc. You will be able to gauge the benefits a Six Sigma project experiences after the application of Six Sigma concepts. You can aim to secure senior levels in the organization after this certification.
Proper utilization of company’s resources:
Professionals who possess this Six Sigma credential will be able to efficiently utilize the company’s resources and you would be an example for the other team members. Applying Six Sigma techniques makes the processes cost-effective and time-conscious. Time is greatly reduced and the cost of materials and operations are also reduced significantly. The company’s resources are carefully handled and defects and errors are reduced to a great extent.
Highly Rewarding Remuneration:
It does require a high level of commitment and studying to secure the certification
. But once you clear it, it really pays off. Professionals with the certification are highly in-demand and they are paid high salaries for their significant contribution to the company.
Why organizations require certified Six Sigma professionals?
Organizations will require Six Sigma certified professionals for the following reasons.
- Increased Productivity: Utilizing Six Sigma certified professionals, the manufacturing of new products are increased. Also, the production rate improves markedly. Thus these credentials are in demand for these niche jobs.
- Cost-effective: As errors and defects are greatly reduced applying Six Sigma principles, the waste is minimized, which leads to decreased production cost. Organizations require these professionals to create quality products, which adhere to quality metrics thereby, significantly reducing the cost.
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Clients are surely going to be assured of quality products created by these professionals. These professionals streamline processes and work towards building products that at par with highly efficient end products, which will obviously leave the end user immensely happy. In this process, waste is also greatly reduced.
- Win over stakeholder’s trust and credibility: Employees who are well-qualified with credentials in a company will win the trust of clients. Quality will be utmost if the professionals are certified thereby instilling confidence in the stakeholders that their end products will be top-notch. The organization will be at the forefront in the competitive business world if they produce superior products.
- Reduced Training Costs: Having certified professionals in the organization helps in training juniors to become more competent in their job. Master Black Belt and Black Belt certified professionals can guide and provide instructions to their subordinates and build their business expertise. In this manner, the organization will be have qualified and knowledge professionals, which surely have an impact on the quality of the end products.
With the above benefits and reasons for employing these professionals, there is a win-win situation for both the organization and employee. The organization will have an advantage over the quality of products at the same time the professionals with these certificates will be rewarded handsomely. The Six Sigma certification is certainly not hyped. With dwindling job prospects at the moment, obtaining a credential under their belt is certainly a wise choice to stay employable in this cut-throat competitive world. Your employer will be happy with quality being on focus portrayed by these professionals and production run by well-versed employees in their domain.
Conclusion
The next step a Six Sigma professional needs to take is to get a Six Sigma certification and become a valued player in the job market. With the current scenario, staying ahead of times is the only tool that can take you places. What more if an organization wants to pay you more if you are certified, that indeed is an icing on the cake! The above blog gives you details about the credential that is recognized globally, which can fetch you opportunities that just not gives you career growth, but also pays you well. So what is stopping you, take the leap from just being a Six Sigma professional to a certified Six Sigma professional and get noticed by employers. There is no stopping you after you carry this credential on your resume!
