Whether you’re learning Six Sigma for a certification or to help your career by improving workplace performance, or just want to see what Six Sigma is all about, you’ve come to the right place. I built this website for us to learn together. Studying for your Black Belt exam, or Green Belt exam? We’ve got you covered.
Learning Six Sigma? Start Here.
Last article I gave an introduction about myself and the site. I asked for help deciding what else to add to the website – thanks to everyone who responded!
If you didn’t get a chance to reply, no worries; you can always drop me a line by leaving a comment at the bottom of any article or shoot me an email via our contact form.
Here are a few answers to commonly-asked questions:
Learning About the Different Types of Six Sigma Certifications
Each certification has a Body of Knowledge (BOK) associated with it – a list of things that the candidate is expected to know. I have put the most common BOKs on my site and linked to the articles with information on each.
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt Guides
Unsure which certification to try for? Not a problem. Let me know where you are in your career and what you are looking to do and I’ll see if I can help. Also, you can see a comparison between the most recognized types of Six Sigma certification here.
Confused about which Six Sigma Role is for you?
Check out this article on the different kinds of Six Sigma belts. It talks about what your learning path should be depending on what kind of role you are in today or want to be in tomorrow
Just Starting Out Learning Six Sigma?
New to Six Sigma? Check out these articles:
- Six Sigma Tools Walkthrough
- Basics of Six Sigma
- Difference between Six Sigma and Lean
- Meanings of Six Sigma
- General History of Six Sigma & Continuous Improvement
- Critical Success Factors to Six Sigma
- What are all these belts for?
- What kind of Six Sigma training is there?
General Learning About Six Sigma
- I built this website to learn about Six Sigma. And I’m still learning. I’ve passed one green belt exam, the ASQ black belt exam, and the Villanova black belt exam all on the first try. I’ve applied the knowledge to projects for years. There is always more to learn.
- There are 1000+ articles on SixSigmaStudyGuide.com.
- I’ve covered every topic both on Six Sigma and the certification process.
- If you can’t find something, just use the search feature at the top right hand of the website.
- Still can’t find it? Leave me a comment and I’ll find a resource to help!
- Questions:
- Any questions, just leave a note at the bottom in the comments on any page and I’ll do my best to help out.
- Custom requests:
- Send me an email. While I’ve put a lot of effort into this site, I have not yet come close to sharing everything I’ve learned. Send me a note on anything you don’t see covered and I’ll do my best to dig it up for you.
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Comments (24)
Interesting learning (six sigma)
Unsure which certification to try for? Not a problem. Let me know where you are in your career and what you are looking to do and I’ll see if I can help.
Sir,
Am in appliance manufacturing in own business as well as project handler for turn key projects.Well versed with system of production and ways to implement but think of adding edge to experience with some professionalistic and documented ways to work on technical as well as productive level along with time and resource management.
Hi Anij,
For time and resources management I would recommend the PMP – Project Management Professional certification. While Six Sigma Black belts are expected to be adept at project management, and the certifications certainly require a good understanding, I think a focused program of study like the PMP offers would better suit your need.
However, if you are looking for ways to systematically deliver exceptional results, Six Sigma is a proven methodology. Given your experience I would suggest going for the Black Belt. The organization or certifying body depends on how much effort you can put in. If you have more time available, I would advocate trying for the ASQ Black Belt. It is more time-intensive, but you will gain more. If not, one of the other bodies like IASSC would be sufficient. Best of luck!!
Unsure of the value certification will add to my experience and will it enhance my resume. I work as a validation engineer with concentration in process validation for a pharmaceutical company. I have a masters degree in pharmaceutical engineering. I want to enhance my knowledge about different statistical programs that could help me streamline the process. Also, what are some of the best resources that could help me pass the exam.
Thanks in advance,
Hi Vinit,
I think that a Six Sigma Black Belt education would certainly give you a structured approach to applying statistics in meaningful ways to improve your processes. Whenever you want to see if a certification or other qualification would help your resume, I would check with a senior executive mentor in the industry who has experience hiring for the kind of roles you aspire to.
The best resources for passing any of the Six Sigma Black Belt exams are on this website, particularly the membership-only sections.
Hi! Ted,
I have done a green belt six sigma project as a team member.
Could I go for ASQ Black belt certification ?
regards,
Hi Ajay, I think it depends on which certification you are going for. If you are pursuing Villanova or IASSC, they have no project requirements. ASQ requires you to lead 2 projects. Simply being a team member is not sufficient.
Hi just about to start studying lean six sigma – working in acute healthcare – not sure how to start and what parts would be best to apply in healthcare- have you got any examples? Great website BTW! Will be using this to study! Thanks
Hi Mary, Thank you for the kind words. Personally, I think studying the DMAIC process would be a good start. It’s Six Sigma’s signature way to achieve process improvement for a process that already exists. From there I would gain an understanding of Lean techniques and tools. After that, it would be good to make your way through the Green Belt Body of Knowledge to hit additional topics. Hope that helps!
Do you recommend any online courses for Green Belt learning?
Hi Perry – I found Villanova’s Black Belt materials to be OK. They are not necessarily on-line as there are DVDs and weekly classes to attend remotely. Have you tried anything?
Hello,
I am interested in both green and black belt certification levels and am unsure of which route to go. I currently hold a BS in Business Administration: International Business and was introduced to six sigma and covered aspects of DMAIC during my course of study. My University offers Six Sigma specific training packages but am uncertain I need to pay $2000-$3000 for additional learning that may have been covered in my degree. I am aiming to work in the video game industry and Six Sigma and Lean certifications are definitely skills that are highly sought after. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Jack, It’s possible your course work prepared you for portions of the Green Belt, but I would doubt you’re ready for the Black Belt unless you have had training and experience in project management and advanced statistics.
Why not check out what is required for some of the more popular certification exams and see? There are a lot of topics. For example, here is a list of what is required for the ASQ Green Belt certification.
Once you’re certain you know the material, you can sign up for a free account here and try a practice exam.
If you are interested in making 100% certain that you’ll pass your green belt exam, purchase the Practice Exams and Study Guide where you get access to more than 700 questions across 11 subject areas with 8 cumulative review tests and 5 full-length mock exams.
Once you can pass all 5 of the mock exams, you are ready to go.
Thanks a lot about the article. I truly believe , that this will help me to develop my knowledge and to understand the process of when or how I should proceed the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.
Basically, for my background I acquired an on-line training on Lean Six Sigma, and I am now studying various approaches .
Look forward, that I can come up an efficient and correct path in considering the certification.
Again, thanks a lot.
Hi Ted, great resource! How about yellow belt? I know is entry level, but being a seasoned experienced software developer now getting into DevOps it seems like a great option.
What do you think? Thanks!
Hi Rafael, Thank you for the compliment.
I think a six sigma yellow belt is a worthy pursuit for an introduction to Six Sigma concepts. It doesn’t carry much weight in interviews because it’s usually very basic. But in my experience (also a former software developer), I find that industry in particular could benefit from greater adoption of quality tools. It’s personal bias, but I’m always impressed by developers who have some six sigma or lean training.
For the sake of completion, and in case anyone else comes across these notes, I’d like to add a few resources: that have helped me in this area. Rafael, if you have other resources, please add them, too.
Yellow Belt notes: 7 Tools
Books: Lean Start Up, Lean Enterprise, and The Phoenix Project.
Concepts: Kanban, Kaizen, Lean, How lean is different from six sigma, and using six sigma to perfect tech support.
Hi Sir,
This is Piyush Nigam, I am B.E holder in Mechanical with 3 years of experience in Quality Assurance in manufacturing industry area , i am interested to do a course of six sigma (Green belt or Black belt) .
But i am so much confused, Is it useful for my career and help me to increase my annual package??
Hi Piyush, I think it would be helpful, but it’s ultimately up to you. Check out my Six Sigma Belt Road Map which will help you decide which way to go.
Hi Ted, this is Jay. I have about 2.5 years experience in QA/QC in the pharmaceutical/chemical industry. I have another 2.5 years experience as a Research Technician under a professor in an academic setting.
I’ve noted that the Greenbelt certification from ASQ requires 3 years of work experience. Just wondering if they will accept my work experience in a University towards the 3 years? As I am short by 6 months with regards to meeting their requirement.
Please let me know.
Thank you
I think you have a good argument, especially if that work was full-time. You’d have to contact ASQ to be certain, though.
Hello Ted,
I’m having a 5 year experience of sales in a people management role. I’m actually thinking for a boost in my career. Came to know about Six Sigma via word of mouth. Have null knowledge of it, so was surfing the web for some update/knowledge of getting to know for a fit in my career.
I need an advice from you that, whether it is a right choice to go for it and the time taken for it to get a decent belt.
Thank you.
Great questions, Shashank.
I made a guide to help you decide which belt, if any, is right for you. Go here and follow the directions and let me know where in the comments you land! I can best help you from there.
Best, Ted.
Hey Ted,
I am currently working as a Quality Assurance inspector for WMATA railyard in Virginia. Before that, I was in Air Force for 14 years (3 of those years were in Quality Assurance for military aircraft). I heard about you through a relative of mine, and like others, I am looking into getting my six sigma certification. I believe that green belt might be the best place to start, but I wanted your opinion on it as well.
V/R
Lance Beloney
Hi Lance,
Thanks for reaching out! I think with your experience you should be able to achieve a Green Belt in short order. I’ll also follow up via email.
Best, Ted.