The combination of Lean and Six Sigma is called Lean Six Sigma. Lean methodology eliminates waste or waste in the product manufacturing process.
At the same time, Six Sigma helps improve the quality of the final product. That means Lean Six Sigma is a process of improving product quality and eliminating waste. Waste is all activities that are not needed in the process of making a product.
A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt professional is highly experienced with Lean Six Sigma methods, and capable of leading and managing complex improvement projects.
You can enjoy many benefits by becoming a Black Belt. However, before becoming a Black Belt, you must take a competency test until you are declared eligible.
This article will discuss what a Black Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma is and why you should take this exam.
Reasons To be A Black Belt
Whether you are new to Six Sigma certification or have reached a certain level, you must understand the importance of this certification. If you are still confused about how valuable this certification is, then you should read the important information below in full:
1. New training and new challenges.
You will undergo very challenging training when you take the Black Belt certification. This training is not only complicated but also allows you to learn something new and exciting, ultimately becoming your new knowledge and skills.
2. New opportunities are coming.
You will have several opportunities when you earn your Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Only those who are highly qualified or have experience can lead a project team. By becoming a Black Belt, you can do that.
3. You will master DMAIC perfectly.
One of the methodologies used in Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma is DMAIC. DMAIC will be the project’s foundation, and you should have good knowledge of it. You will receive in-depth training in this subject if you are certified as a Black belt.
Black Belt Duties and Roles
A Black Belt’s general job is to characterize and optimize critical processes that will directly impact the running of the business. Black Belts are tasked with identifying and executing improvement projects needed by the company.
For example, projects that aim to reduce errors and defects in commercial or industrial processes and production and service. In addition, Black Belts can also help companies select and reduce labour, materials, cycle time and inventory.
The finance department will then validate the work results of Black Belts. It’ll be analyzed (whether there has been a significant improvement) in cost savings and/or increased margins.
In addition, non-financial results such as increased productivity will also be considered. These are referred to as Lean Six Sigma returns.
Using the DMAIC (Design-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) method, Black Belts can solve problems by identifying the root cause factors (through root cause analysis).
They will focus on the root cause of the problem and decide the best method to solve it. The problem.
The description of the duties of a Black Belt is as follows:
1. Mentor/Teacher
Black Belt is a mentor who will introduce the basics of Lean Six Sigma and provide knowledge about tools. They will also build a Lean Six Sigma ‘network’ within the company so that other employees can understand and implement the method correctly. They also provide formal training on methods and tools if needed.
2. Coach
Provide support and advice to personnel in need.
3. Tranfer
Delivering new strategies and tools to other employees in training, workshops, case studies, simulations, and so on.
4. Discover
Seek and find solutions using Lean Six Sigma methods and tools in the context of internal and external problems (for example, suppliers and customers).
5. Identify
Finding business development opportunities through various forms of partnerships with other organizations.
6. Influence
Promoting the organisation’s advantages in terms of using the Lean Six Sigma strategy as an improvement method.
Black Belts Qualities
To make Six Sigma projects run smoothly and on target, several professionals have their respective roles. At the project level, we recognize Black Belts, Green Belts, Master Black Belts, and Team Members.
At the organizational level, there are champions and sponsors. We will cover each of them in separate articles and now focus on Black Belts. What qualities are needed to become a good Black Belt? Let’s look at the following:
1. Capable technical ability.
A Black Belt doesn’t have to be an engineering graduate or a statistics major. Still, he can collect and transform data into information that he and his team can understand.
He also can analyze data into knowledge to determine what improvement strategy to choose. A Black Belt will be trapped in academic and theoretical matters without such abilities.
2. Able to see from the tower.
A Black Belt knows precisely what he is doing. He has good business knowledge and can see the relationship between the projects undertaken and the organisation’s desired results.
He described how the company’s vision was derived from idea to strategy to key performance indicators and determined the tasks to be implemented to meet these KPIs.
3. Result in Orientation
Determining the quality of a Black Belt is tangible and measurable, not subjective. Even though he is good at communicating and coordinating, he is liked by the team and management.
Still, his projects often fail, so he is not the Black belt your organization expects.
4. Able to manage projects
Six Sigma means working on a project within a certain period. Black Belts must understand the requirements, scope, resources, time constraints, and variance perspective.
Understanding the basics of project management or experience running a project is an important ability.
5. Team Player
As a playmaker in football, Black Belt is simultaneously a regulator of attack and defence. Black Belts must be able to lead a team, be part of it, and understand the dynamics and management of conflict.
6. Translate customer wishes
Black Belts know how to communicate with customers and get the most critical customer needs. After that, Black Belt was able to translate the customer’s urgent needs into something measurable.
7. Communication skills
Quality results are obtained from good acceptance of the proposed improvement ideas. Good acceptance by all stakeholders is determined by the ability to communicate in “selling” the idea.
Black Belts must understand how they communicate with various levels in the organization.
The communication and presentation techniques to management are undoubtedly different from communicating with the shop floor.
8. Passion to always be better
Perfection is a process, not an end. For him, there is always a better way or system than currently running. A Black Belt is a self-motivated learner and constantly upgrading himself.
Importance of Black Belt Certification
With their in-depth knowledge of business improvement, Black Belts can stimulate management perspectives and think by suggesting new ways of doing things, creating innovative strategies, finding and applying new tools, training individuals, and challenging old policies by demonstrating the proven successful application of new methodologies.
Black Belts can dramatically increase a company’s sigma level and provide extra revenue.
Black Belts are respected by employees, supervisors, and management at all levels. This is very important because they will control the wheel to manage risk, determine the direction of improvement, and lead the way to increase profitability.
For this reason, a Black Belt generally has a patient, calm, persuasive, imaginative, and creative character.