Will a Six Sigma Certification Help Your Career?
Six Sigma Certification
For certification, you are going to require to take the most recognized, respected, and capable option available. It includes deciding between vendors, for-profit schools, individual corporations, and industry organizations. Likely candidates add The American Society for Quality, the International Association for Six Sigma Certification, and much more.
The Three Types of Certifying Bodies
The Six Sigma certifications come in three forms. You have the central bodies like ASQ, IASSC, universities like Villanova, and in-house certification from corporations like GE. These are some of the most trusted options available, particularly with in-house operations, where they require to make sure that you meet their rules and expectations.
The importance of Six Sigma is unmatched. There are not a lot of benefits like it, at least those that focus on all levels and layers of a business. Quality, efficiency, and profits all receive an increase when Six Sigma is used correctly, which means that a company can continue to improve and strengthen over time.
It provides for continuous improvements that rely on specific information and that do not lack in any of the requirements. When you find that your business is not ready to compete on a large scale or is not doing as well as it should, you can get used of Six Sigma to boost performance.
If you are preparing to become certified, you should understand more about the different options available to you.
Organizations Offering Six Sigma Certification
One option that everyone should think at some point is the central bodies of certification. These bodies concentrate solely on Six Sigma certification and are highly respected in the field. Many businesses understand their names and trust the education that they provide. The organizations have the required credentials to certify you in Six Sigma that hiring companies will view positively.
Learn more about what these organizations can give as well as how each one stands out. Make sure to see into the credentials of each of them to pick one that is trusted and valued. The two leading contenders in this space are the ASQ and the IASSC.
Both rely on fixed Bodies of Knowledge to test you.
- ASQ Green Belt Body of Knowledge
- ASQ Black Belt Body of Knowledge
- IASSC Green Belt Body of Knowledge
- IASSC Black Belt Body of Knowledge
If you are planning a career in Quality Management in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, healthcare, service industries, or technology, prospective employers will often see for Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma qualifications.
Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma are two distinct tracks, all with three levels of certification. Both begin at the Green Belt level and advance to Black Belt and Master Black Belt levels.
If you are an expert professional with more than three years’ experience in one or more important Six Sigma areas, then you can prepare for and use the Six Sigma Green Belt exam. If you have worked on one or more projects, you can take the test for the Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
If you lack work experience but are ready to study for the test, you can take the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt exams. There are no requirements for either of these Lean Six Sigma exams.
If you wish to mentor and train professionals, advice on projects and offer strategic Six Sigma leadership for an organization, then the Master Black Belt certification is suggested.
Taking the Right Certification Body
Global Accreditation Brings Credibility
Since there is no single official body allowed to administer Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma training and certification, many various companies have developed guidelines and give certification. However, two accrediting bodies are approved by leading global organizations and institutions.
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) assures that professional Six Sigma training and certifications are conducted according to global industry standards. It is suggested taking Six Sigma training with courseware accredited by the ASQ.
Note that the ASQ does not give accreditation for Lean Six Sigma, however, related to ASQ, the International Association of Six Sigma Certification (IASSC), and accredits courseware for Lean Six Sigma.
Accreditation
Be assured you want an organization which is accredited by either the ASQ or IASSC. The certification depends on the track you choose — Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma. Choosing the right certified training partner will ensure that the training you are receiving meets the criteria of the accrediting body.
Duration
Look for flexibility in the length of the training. Some short courses must be performed in one or two days, while others are spread across four to five days. Choose the most appropriate to your requirements based on your level of preparation and experience.
Certification Eligibilities, Examinations and Responsibilities
There are several Six Sigma program eligibility criteria, examination process, and jobs available for certified professionals.
Here is a brief list of Six Sigma certification eligibility considerations.
1] ASQ Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB)
Eligibility:
The Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) certification will be intended at those new to the world of Six Sigma who have a small role, interest, or require to develop foundational knowledge. Yellow Belts can be entry-level employees who attempt to improve their world or executive champions who need an overview of Six Sigma and DMAIC.
The CSSYB certification will use the way of advancing the concept and potential of using Six Sigma tools and methodologies within an organization. The Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification needs no education or work experience.
Examination:
For Computer Delivered, the CSSYB examination is a one-part, 85-question, two-and-a-half-hour exam and is in English only. Seventy-five questions are scored, and ten are unscored. By way of Paper and Pencil exam, the CSSYB examination is a one-part, 75-question, two-hour exam and is in English only.
2] ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)
Eligibility:
ASQ needs candidates to have at least three years of full-time experience in one or more areas specified in the CSSGB Body of knowledge.
Examination:
Every candidate must pass a written, multiple-choice exam administered by ASQ. The CSSGB exam is four hours long and comprises of 100 questions to measure comprehension of the body of knowledge.
The CSSGB exam is given in the English language. However, ASQ has translated some exam programs into Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese. These exams are offered via PBT (paper-based testing) and are available only in huge demand locations at ASQ sponsored sites.
Roles of CSSGB:
- Lead Green Belt projects or teams.
- Assistance with data collection and analysis for Black Belt projects.
- Note that CSSGB has lifetime validity and does not need recertification.
3] ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)
Eligibility:
ASQ clearly states that ‘You do NOT require to be a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt’ however you want to complete two projects with signed affidavits OR one finished project with a signed affidavit and three years of work experience in one or more fields of the Six Sigma Black Belt Body of Knowledge.
Examination:
Each candidate is expected to pass a written test of 150 questions for ASQ to even your comprehension of the Body of Knowledge. It’s a four-hour lengthy examination.
Roles of CSSBB:
- Lead problem-solving projects.
- Train and coach project teams.
Recertification:
- CSSBB is valid for three years from the date of certification.
- To renew certification, you require to either document 18 RU credits or retake the examination.
The Benefits of Six Sigma Certification
The pros of Six Sigma certification far exceed the cons. It is a change in mindset, and managers of all types can benefit remarkably from any level of Six Sigma training.
The Green Belt is the most basic form of Six Sigma certification, and it is excellent for those managers or individual contributors who use a lot of their time gathering and analyzing data.
The Black Belt is the ideal certification for individuals who consistently lead project teams and act as guides to others. It builds on the data-focused management of the Green Belt and includes leadership skills like time management and decision-making.
The Master Black Belt is the highest Six Sigma certification, and it is best suited for managers who fill an executive role or act as a liaison with upper management. These practitioners can teach Six Sigma principles to both project teams and corporate executives.
Conclusion
When it gets to the most recognized for each, it is hard to say with certainty. Some points to contemplate when choosing one, if you are going through most recognized and respected, are employment prospects, the number of people certified through it, and salary expectations because of it. There is a long list of options, and many of them may look appealing.
You have to see at them as a whole, consider their benefits and downsides, and choose the one that is going to fit your interests and needs the most. Making a knowledgeable decision through research is the best path to take, mainly when you think how long practice can take in some cases.
If you require the highest chance of success, honor, and a good job, then put in the hours to find the right Six Sigma certification.
