The IASSC Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Study Guide is a free, quick-reference list of essential materials to prepare for and pass the certification exam. It is derived from the IASSC Universally Accepted Lean Six Sigma Body of Knowledge for Black Belts. In other words, this is what they say you need to know to pass their exam.

Speaking of passing their exam, did you know that 100% of the people who pass my Black Belt practice exams report passing their exam (IASSC, ASQ, Villanova, etc) on the first try? Sign up here. 100% refund within the first 30 days.

1.0 Define Phase

1.1 The Basics of Six Sigma

1.1.1 Meanings of Six Sigma

1.1.2 General History of Six Sigma & Continuous Improvement

1.1.3 Deliverables of a Lean Six Sigma Project

1.1.4 The Problem Solving Strategy Y = f(x)

1.1.5 Voice of the Customer, Business, and Employee

1.1.6 Six Sigma Roles & Responsibilities

1.2 The Fundamentals of Six Sigma

1.2.1 Defining a Process

1.2.2 Critical to Quality Characteristics (CTQs)

1.2.3 Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)

1.2.4 Pareto Analysis (80:20 rule)

1.2.5 Basic Six Sigma Metrics

a. including DPU, DPMO, FTY, RTY Cycle Time, deriving these metrics.

1.3 Selecting Lean Six Sigma Projects

1.3.1 Building a Business Case & Project Charter

1.3.2 Developing Project Metrics

1.3.3 Financial Evaluation & Benefits Capture

1.4 The Lean Enterprise

1.4.1 Understanding Lean

1.4.2 The History of Lean

1.4.3 Lean & Six Sigma

1.4.4 The Seven Elements of Waste

a. Overproduction, Correction, Inventory, Motion, Overprocessing, Conveyance, Waiting.

1.4.5 5S

a. Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Self-Discipline, Sort

2.0 Measure Phase

2.1 Process Definition

2.1.1 Cause & Effect / Fishbone Diagrams

2.1.2 Process Mapping, SIPOC, Value Stream Map

2.1.3 X-Y Diagram

2.1.4 Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA)

2.2 Six Sigma Statistics

2.2.1 Basic Statistics

2.2.2 Descriptive Statistics

2.2.3 Normal Distributions & Normality

2.2.4 Graphical Analysis

2.3 Measurement System Analysis

2.3.1 Precision & Accuracy

2.3.2 Bias, Linearity & Stability

2.3.3 Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility

2.3.4 Variable & Attribute MSA

2.4 Process Capability

2.4.1 Capability Analysis

2.4.2 Concept of Stability

2.4.3 Attribute & Discrete Capability

2.4.4 Monitoring Techniques

3.0 Analyze Phase

3.1 Patterns of Variation

3.1.1 Multi-Vari Analysis

3.1.2 Classes of Distributions

3.2 Inferential Statistics

3.2.1 Understanding Inference

3.2.2 Sampling Techniques & Uses

Data Sampling

Sampling with replacement

Sampling without replacement

3.2.3 Central Limit Theorem

3.3 Hypothesis Testing

3.3.1 General Concepts & Goals of Hypothesis Testing

3.3.2 Significance; Practical vs. Statistical

3.3.3 Risk; Alpha & Beta

3.3.4 Types of Hypothesis Test

3.4 Hypothesis Testing with Normal Data

3.4.1 1 & 2 sample t-tests

3.4.2 1 sample variance

3.4.3 One-Way ANOVA

a. Including Tests of Equal Variance, Normality Testing, and Sample Size calculation, performing tests, and interpreting results.

3.5 Hypothesis Testing with Non-Normal Data

3.5.1 Mann-Whitney

3.5.2 Kruskal-Wallis

3.5.3 Mood’s Median

3.5.4 Friedman

3.5.5 1 Sample Sign

3.5.6 1 Sample Wilcoxon

3.5.7 One and Two Sample Proportion

3.5.8 Chi-Squared (Contingency Tables)

a. Including Tests of Equal Variance, Normality Testing, and Sample Size calculation, performing tests, and interpreting results.

4.0 Improve Phase

4.1 Simple Linear Regression

4.1.1 Correlation

4.1.2 Regression Equations

4.1.3 Residuals Analysis

4.2 Multiple Regression Analysis

4.2.1 Non-Linear Regression

4.2.2 Multiple Linear Regression

4.2.3 Confidence & Prediction Intervals

4.2.4 Residuals Analysis

4.2.5 Data Transformation, Box Cox

4.3 Designed Experiments

4.3.1 Experiment Objectives

4.3.2 Experimental Methods

4.3.3 Experiment Design Considerations

4.4 Full Factorial Experiments

4.4.1 2k Full Factorial Designs

4.4.2 Linear & Quadratic Mathematical Models

4.4.3 Balanced & Orthogonal Designs

4.4.4 Fit, Diagnose Model, and Center Points

4.5 Fractional Factorial Experiments

4.5.1 Designs

4.5.2 Confounding Effects

4.5.3 Experimental Resolution

5.0 Control Phase

5.1 Lean Controls

5.1.1 Control Methods for 5S

5.1.2 Kanban

5.1.3 Poka-Yoke (Mistake Proofing)

5.2 Statistical Process Control (SPC)

5.2.1 Data Collection for SPC

5.2.2 I-MR Chart

5.2.3 Xbar-R Chart

5.2.4 Attribute Charts (U Chart, P Chart, NP Chart)

5.2.7 X-S chart

5.2.8 CuSum Chart

5.2.9 EWMA Chart

5.2.10 Control Methods

5.2.11 Control Chart Anatomy

5.2.12 Subgroups, Impact of Variation, Frequency of Sampling

5.2.13 Center Line & Control Limit Calculations

5.3 Six Sigma Control Plans

5.3.1 Cost Benefit Analysis

5.3.2 Elements of the Control Plan

5.3.3 Elements of the Response Plan

Levels of Cognition based on Bloom’s Taxonomy – Revised (2001)

These levels are from “Levels of Cognition” (from Bloom’s Taxonomy – Revised, 2001). They are listed in order from the least complex to the most complex.

Remember: Recall or recognize terms, definitions, facts, ideas, materials, patterns, sequences, methods, principles, etc.

Understand: 
Read and understand descriptions, communications, reports, tables, diagrams, directions, regulations, etc.

Apply: 
Know when and how to use ideas, procedures, methods, formulas, principles, theories, etc.

Analyze: 
Break down information into its constituent parts and recognize their relationship to one another and how they are organized; identify sublevel factors or salient data from a complex scenario.

Evaluate: 
Make judgments about the value of proposed ideas, solutions, etc., by comparing the proposal to specific criteria or standards.

Create: Put parts or elements together in such a way as to reveal a pattern or structure not clearly there before; identify which data or information from a complex set is appropriate to examine further or from which supported conclusions can be drawn.

Comments (29)

Hi Milan,

I am currently creating a Black Belt product that will serve both ASQ and IASSC established bodies of knowledge. It will be ready very soon.

If you’d like to be on the notification list for when it’s ready, just take a moment and fill out this very quick survey here and leave your email in the optional field.

The survey will also give you a preview of what will be delivered. Black Belt interest survey:

Also, don’t forget you can sign up for my BB free trial and get access to a few assessment exams here

They will help you see where you need the most help and guide you to a higher score on the exam. (If you’ve already signed up, tell me how you did on the assessment exams.) Best, Ted

Hi Ted,
please note that I am interested to receive IASSC Black Belt guidance as I failed in the first attempt and I want to apply for the second trial,
please can you advise.

Hi Mayssa,

Do not worry. These tests are difficult and many, many people fail the first time.

My best recommendations are as follows:

  1. Review the IASSC BOK – all of the concepts on this page are fair game.
  2. Note any concepts you didn’t fully understand – especially any you remember being difficult on the actual exam.
  3. Take a ton of practice exams!! – You can’t do better than the study guide and practice exams I have available here.
  4. Review how previous test candidates have prepared for their exams and adapt what they did to your situation:

Hi Ted
Thank you for your prompt reply, kindly I need to ask you can you please give more examples with regards to the DPU, DPMO, TPY and FPY? is there any typical IASSC Black Belt exercise you can share on such?
In addition, you have previously mentioned that you are preparing for the IASSC black belt guide, is it difference from what is available in this BoK page?

Appreciate your prompt feedback as I am planning to apply for my second trial in the coming month…

Thank you in advance for your help and support

Lots of questions here, Mayssa. I love it. Let me dive in.

Examples with regards to the DPU, DPMO, TPY and FPY?

Not a problem. See the Process Performance Metrics article here. For questions on the same, please see the study guides.

In addition, you have previously mentioned that you are preparing for the IASSC black belt guide, is it difference from what is available in this BoK page?

I am currently creating a Black Belt product that will serve the established bodies of knowledge (ASQ, IASSC, Villanova, etc). So, yes, it will cover everything on this page plus everything on the ASQ Black Belt BOK plus the Villanova Black Belt BOK. It will be ready shortly.

If you’d like to be on the notification list for when it’s ready, just take a moment to read this walkthrough here and fill out this very quick survey here and leave your email in the optional field.

The survey will also give you a preview of what will be delivered. Black Belt interest survey:

Also, don’t forget you can sign up for my BB free trial and get access to a few assessment exams here:

The assessment exams will help you see where you need the most help and guide you to a higher score on the exam.

Dear Ted,

Can I take an ASQ course for black belt and take the exam for IASSC?

Or there is a huge difference in the body of knowledge?

There’s not a huge difference. The biggest items are:

1) the exam is NOT open notes
2) they provide an equation list that you must be fluent in
3) anecdotally I am hearing trends that understanding non-parametrics are more heavily weighted in the IASSC BB than in the ASQ.

Of course you must submit project affidavits for the ASQ and not the IASSC.

I recommend that people take (2) certifications with the last one being the ASQ. This way you are studying and preparing and get credentialed at the outset with the first exam (eg IASSC), then you take the ASQ once you have applied the knowledge and have a portfolio of projects.

I just took the iassc black belt test and my version was very heavily weighted on non parametrics and z scores. my weak spot. so I’ll be retaking soon after I study more

oh yeah I planned on joining that before however with the “amazing economic situation” going on. I have to wait. Trying to switch careers during this time is hard to do everybody is so on edge and finances are limited for every one.

Hi Korey,

I completely understand. Many of us are in the same or similar position.

Next week I will be releasing a monthly option that will be a fraction of the price of the PYSSBB course, just paid on the same date each month until cancelled. Perhaps that would be helpful?

In the meantime, I see that you’re a free member. There are lots of resources there as well as hundreds of free articles on this site that can help you out – and more coming all of the time.

Best, Ted.

Hi Ted
I have IASSC Green Belt Certification exam on 20th October. I have done a basic green belt & lean management course from one of the online edu called simplylearn.com.
My question is if BOK for Black belt be of any help tp me or is there a BOK for Green belt (IASSC).
How & what do you suggest for me to clear IASSC green belt in first attempt?
Regards
Victor

Hi Vaibahav,

Thanks for reaching out. You will want to review the IASSC Green Belt BOK I have here.

Also, if you want to pass your green belt in the first attempt, I recommend my study program where you have access to thousands of practice questions, dozens of quizzes and full length exams, as well as instructor support. The guarantee is simple; if you do all of the work in the program and you don’t pass, we will refund your purchase. You can sign up for access here.

We’d love to have you join. Let me know if there are any questions I can answer.

Best, Ted.

Hi Dear,
Pls tell me different between ASQ and IASSC body of knowledge. Also How can I pass IASSC LSSBBC for one time exam.

Hi Sharif,

The main differences between ASQ and IASSC black belts are enterprise deployment, leadership skills, and a few tools and techniques like Multivari analysis. You are on the IASSC BB BOK page and you can see the ASQ BB BOK page here for more details.

To pass either the first time through I recommend that you do a lot of practice questions in the right format and that will reflect what you’ll see on exam day. You can learn more here.

Best, Ted.

Hi Ted,

Some of the concepts here dont have a hyperlink? How to access them? I have already subscribed PYSSBB.

Hi Hareesh,

The articles are generally expansive. People were complaining that I was linking to the same pages multiple times so I tried to link to each article once.

Just look for a more general version of a link and you’ll be set. You can also use the search function for a specific topic.

Best, Ted.

Hey Ted,

I would also like to sign up for the exam. Do you know if it is possible to copy single words of the questions so that I can translate them because I am not a native speaker?

Hi Tony,

Thanks for reaching out. I don’t offer the exam. I offer a study guide to help you pass the exam.

For details about the IASSC exam, you’ll have to contact them. I cannot speak for IASSC on what they will allow or not in your case.

Best, Ted.

Hi Ted,

I went through your website and the modules for Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Exam. Do you have a printed study material for IASSC Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Exam?

Thank you,
Nizam.

Hi Nizam,

No, I do not have printed study material available at this time.

Out of curiosity, what would help you the most? Full instructional items to learn from scratch? Job aids? Condensed study notes to help memorization?

I’m prepping for the black belt exam. It’d be great if there is a printed study material so that I can crack the exam easily. You covered everything needed in here.

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