I'm a Swedish-based Lean consultant, and the owner of the free World-Class-Manufacturing.com web site.
In short, I teach key descision makers how to get a cost-effective and robust production.
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Lean Six Sigma Training and Certification
In this chart, four leading suppliers of online Six Sigma training are assessed.
The tables below compare features of the four systems, including costs, training quality, and the reputation of the certificate they provide.
| The Pyzdek Institute | Acuity Institute | Six Sigma Online | Villanova University | |
| Green Belt Training | $1395 | $749 | $395 | $1,980 |
| Black Belt Training | $1995 | $999 | $995 | $3,980 |
| Master Black Belt | $5,495 | N/A | N/A | $6,995 |
| Textbook | The Six Sigma Handbook, Thomas Pyzdek | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt eBook | The Six Sigma Handbook, Thomas Pyzdek | Villanova Six Sigma Black Belt Handbook |
| Textbook cost | Included | $200 | $100 | $99.95 |
| Certification Requirements | Online Exam Real-world project |
Online Exam Simulated/Real-world project |
Online Exam Hypothetical Project |
Online Exam Simulated course project |
| Exam cost | Included | Included (Real-world project +$400) |
Included | $370 |
| Instruction support | Coaching by Thomas Pyzdek | Instructor support | Two-way online voice communication | |
| Software | Minitab and Quality companion | SigmaXL | Not included | Not included |
| Minitab cost | Included | $1100 | N/A | N/A |
| Online features | Streaming video, Moodle learning system, webinars, videos | Multi-media format, Interactive simulations, Quizzes | Online exam,Flash presentations | Streaming video or CD-ROM, Online learning system, Live chat rooms and email |
| Six Sigma "Guru" | Thomas Pyzdek | N/A | N/A | George Eckes |
| Training quality rating | 4-5 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Reputation of certificate | 5 | 3-4 | 2 | 3-4 |
| Value for the money | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Comments | Recognized certification as a real project is needed. Thomas Pyzdek's name has a good reputation | Low price. Real-world project possible at extra cost | Low price, Not interactive, Based on textbook training | Extensive training, Certification does not require real-world project. High cost |
| Summary | Best overall quality | Good Value | Text book training | High cost |
| Link | Pyzdek Institute | Acuity Institute | Six sigma online | Villanova |
Please contact me if you find any errors in this chart
Name: J-D
Subject: Six sigma training in Switzerland
Dear Sir,
I found your website looking for information about six sigma training in Switzerland and thought that you could be of great help to clarify some points. I am R&D manager in a small company where I am also involoved with production and quality control issues. I am interested to get trained and certified in lean and six sigma to optimize the production and development approach of the company I am working for and to be more attractive on the job market. Being mainly in active in R&D I am also interested in DFSS and DFR.
Now the min question is what kind of training is best for me knowing that we don't have large amount of money for such training in this company and that I will probably ending up paying for it myself for the moment. From you chart the The Pyzdek Institute online training seems to be the best option but is online training really well recognized in industry or is it better to aim for a "standard course" but at a much higher cost.
I would very much appreciate any feedback and suggestion on how to choose either a standard or online course.
Best regards
Hi J-D,
Thanks for your e-mail.
Basically, I think the training quality is the same if you compare on-line and classroom training. Also, when it comes to recognition, I like the Pyzdek institute as they require real-world projects for their exam and the fact that Thomas Pyzdek himself is well recognized. If you want to use the certificate for your CV, I think that real-world results is the only thing that is important for a recruiter.
What you will miss on-line however is contact with colleagues nearby, even if chat-rooms can give some help. Also, you will miss any "Switzerland specific" issues that may be important, for example cultural differences that local tutors may know about.
Whatever option you ultimately choose, try to find a good project in your company and make a good result as that is what really matters.
Regards
/Oskar
Name: Isaac
Subject: Question about Six Sigma Certification Chart
I am contemplating enrolling in the Villanova University Green Belt Certification program. Your chart was very enlightning but not clear about whether the Villanova certification was a recognized certification or not. Would you be so kind to give me your thoughts about the program and whether it is a recognized program or not. Thanks
Hello Isaac,
I think the green belt certification is fine. The issue with Villanova is that their Black Belt certification does not require a real-life project. Therefore people may think that it is too easy to pass the exam.
Regards
/Oskar
Roles in Six Sigma
Every Six Sigma project should use the following roles:
- Leaders: Business Champions and Sponsors
- Champion Black Belt
- Master Black Belt
- Black Belt(s)
- Green Belt(s)
- Yellow Belt(s) and non-belted team members, including customers
It is vital for the overall Six Sigma initiative, and for each Six Sigma project, to have strong support from upper management. Therefore it is difficult to staff the roles for a Six Sigma project on a “bottom-up” basis. Sometimes a business champion, such as the CEO, could determine what the next Six Sigma project should be. In other cases, a business sponsor might lobby for a project. Although lower-level managers could suggest a project, it is hard to imagine actually initiating one from the bottom up.
Leaders: Business Champions and Sponsors
“Business champion” is an informal designation. Such a person has a significant upper-management position, and uses it to promote Six Sigma projects. This person does not necessarily have a formal role in any given project, however.
A “sponsor” is the owner of the business process where a Six Sigma project is taking place. This person is responsible for that line of business, or that specific system or process. He or she may not have formal Six Sigma training, but must be as committed to using the Six Sigma methodology as to the successful completion of the project.
Champion Black Belt
Every large organization that uses Six Sigma has designated a “Six Sigma Champion Black Belt” role: the person who acts as a mentor to every Six Sigma project.
This person has knowledge and experience in Six Sigma methods. Beyond being committed to the general Six Sigma processes and principles, the Champion Black Belt role ensures that each project follows these principles.
Master Black Belt
This person has the greatest individual responsibility in a Six Sigma project. The Master Black Belt:
- Has “mastered” the Six Sigma methodology
- Understands the statistical foundations of the Six Sigma process
- Leads this particular Six Sigma project
- Mentors the Black Belts during the project
- Trains the Green Belts and other project participants
In addition to technical skills as a Black Belt, the Master Black Belt must also be skilled and trained in teaching and communications.
A Master Black Belt’s primary focus is usually on identifying suitable projects; running such projects devolves to the Black Belt level.
Black Belt(s)
A Black Belt has already gained knowledge and experience as a Green Belt. Prerequisites include having participated in at least one previous Six Sigma project at a Green Belt level, and having taken 160 hours of classroom training for this level.
The Black Belt’s primary role is to apply the Six Sigma process to one specific project at a time. However, the Black Belt is a full-time member of the Six Sigma staff, rather than being an employee or manager in a line department.
Green Belt(s)
A Green Belt is a project leader who has successfully completed a five-day training program as part of a Six Sigma project. This person then performs a variety of tasks, under the supervision of the Black Belt(s) and Master Black Belt.
The Green Belt role is primarily a project leader in a line department, rather than a full-time Six Sigma staff role.
Yellow Belt(s) and Non-Belted Team Members, Including Customers
Some companies include Yellow Belts as less-experienced team members. The Yellow Belt is recognized as the entry level for Six Sigma practitioners.
Any team, however, includes members from the “target” department. These people focus on specific tasks under supervision of the higher Belts, but bring their knowledge of their department to the Six Sigma project.
Customers, whether internal or external, must be included in Six Sigma projects. These projects explicitly aim to make improvements that benefit the customers.
Oskar Olofsson, 2011