Six Sigma Green Belts

Six Sigma Green Belts – what are they, and why are they necessary?

What is a Six Sigma Green Belt?

Six Sigma Green Belts are employees of an organization who have been trained on the improvement methodology of Six Sigma and will lead a process improvement or quality improvement team as part of their full-time job.

A Six Sigma Green Belt’s degree of knowledge and skills is less than that of a Black Belt (who leads Six Sigma projects full time) or Master Black Belt (who leads the strategic initiative within part of an organization).

Extensive product knowledge in their company is a must in their task of process improvement. The Six Sigma Green Belt employee plays an important role in executing the Six Sigma process at an organization level.

Six Sigma Green Belt Education

Education is a critical component of Six Sigma Green Belts. Training typically includes two full weeks of in-person classes, quizzes and the completion of a Green Belt-scoped project (for Green Belt certification).

A typical Six Sigma Green Belt curriculum and body of knowledge can be found here: https://www.isixsigma.com/new-to-six-sigma/roles-responsibilities/six-sigma-green-belt-curriculum-and-body-knowledge/

Who Should Be Six Sigma Green Belts?

When managers decide who will attend the next wave of Six Sigma Green Belt training, they must make the time to choose candidates who have all the qualities to be successful in this demanding role.

Failure to do so can be damaging to the project, the project team and to the overall continuous improvement program. It is also detrimental to the person thrust into the Six Sigma Green Belt role who is unlikely to be successful in that position.

The following six qualities (in no particular order) are key for the successful Lean Six Sigma Green Belt candidate:

Perseverance
A logical, analytical mind
A passion for improvement
Leadership skills
Initiative
People skills

You can learn more about the qualities necessary for a successful Six Sigma Green Belt here: https://www.isixsigma.com/new-to-six-sigma/roles-responsibilities/six-qualities-of-successful-green-belts/

Work Experience for Six Sigma Green Belts Requirements

Six Sigma Green Belts maintain their full-time job in the organization, but spend some of their time working on Six Sigma projects in their business area. The idea is that the Six Sigma project will help solve problems they experience in their part of the organization, thereby allowing the organization to run more efficiently, with less errors.

That’s why work experience, Six Sigma Green Belt training, and one or more successfully completed projects often leads to certification.

Six Sigma Green Belt Education Requirements

No academic qualifications are required to begin training at the Six Sigma Green Belt level.

There exist successful Six Sigma Green Belts around the world have not completed university, college or high school.

What is required are the six qualities listed above, and successfully completing Six Sigma Green Belt training.