Be one of successfuly implementing knowledge received from Lean Six Sigma training and certification. There are some challenges and trobles people are usualy facing prior training, during, and after training. That contribues on not misunderstanding and misusing this great methodology.
This article covers:
- It is not only about Six Sigma training
- What can you save by a good decision?
- Prior Six Sigma training and certification
- Write down pros and cons
- We are on the same boat
- What to do after the training?
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- Six Sigma projects consultations
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It is not only about Six Sigma training
I did my own research about how many people are using method after passing training.
Only 20% people used six sigma method after the training.
Yes. This is true. I have also asked many other people, from different organizations. And they just confirmed my research. That made me thinking, how could I possibly help other people be successfull in using it?
This article is not answering, why people refuse using method. What I try to answer is, what you can do to be successfull in using it. To help you understand, if it is really for you. Which path you can choose, that will suit for you the best. Let´s get to it.
Top 11 Green belt and Black belt certification companies review – here
Project selection – calculator
I recommend you testing project idea on project calculator, I have developed based on my training experiences. It will help you to determine, how demanding leading project will be for you.
Selection tool downolad
What can you save by a good decision?
Green belt training price vary from around 160 to 700 USD. Black belt from about 250 to 900 USD. Training can take up to 200 hours pass. In the context of 80% people not taking advantage of this knowledge it is a poor score for six sigma method.
Green belt training and learning takes about 100 hours and black belt can take additional 100 hours. We are talking about 2 weeks of time spent on each.
So not just money you can save by understanding what you really need,. It is also your time, that values and you can be really happy to prevent this loss.
I suggest doing few thinks to prevent frustration from invested time and money and very limited results.
erik from six sigma mania
I suggest doing few thinks to prevent frustration from invested time and money and very limited results. There are steps to do prior Six Sigma training. But also steps to work on after the training. Both are wery important.
How to identify 8 wastes of lean? (+guidline) -read here
Prior Six Sigma training and certification
Learn about six sigma first
Read articles, buy books. Congratulations, you do that already, because you are reading this article. There are many videos related this concept
Check out my YouTube channel with explanatory videos about tools and concepts
Do not need to go to depth here. Just to understand concept. It is important to understand what Lean Six Sigma is about. By understanding concept, you can start thinking, how you can implement its basixs in your daily life. Both working and personal
Contact somebody with experience,
and ask him what are you interested in. You are on the right place here at six sigma mania. Do not hesitate to post your question in the comments below. But you can contact somebody in your organization to help you with answers. You can use six sigma forums on facebook, instagram, or just on internet. There are tons of them there. Hmm, maybe I should do the research which one is the best. Would you be interested in? Let me know, please.
I strongly recommend to have Learning to See book and Mixed model Valuestream for all managers, for all supervisors, engineers and leaders. You will be able to understand how valuestream should work, how to make value flow, and implement lean in any business, any process. It is really worth it.
If you would like to buy “Learning to see” book by Mike Rother click on this affiliate marketing link: https://amzn.to/3nrgHsJ
f you would like to buy “Creating Mixed Model VS” book by Kevin J Duggan click on this affiliate marketing link: https://amzn.to/3ZteKta
I may receive a commission if you sign up through this link. This is not affecting final product pric
Participate in projects.
The fastest way to understand six sigma is to see somebody using it. imagine yourself in that position. How you would behave leading a team? Would you like new challenges with different goals and scope? Different people, different approach. What would be yours?
Ask quesitons, try to understand them. Try to answer in yourself and compare your answer with others.
Ask for mentoring.
If there is a black belt in your organization, ask him. If you do not have anybody, try Facebook. There are six sigma groups with mentors, willing spend some time with you. I have counted about 20 of them. Well there are many advertisings for different trainings, too. I WOULD NOT LISTEN TO THEM, YET. Concetrate yourself on what you need to know, first. When you understand that, choose the best company that wil fit for you.
The best Project manager, or Black belt? – this is how
Self-engagement.
Approach that will obviously tell you most is self-engagement. Try small changes around you by yourself. You do not need any deeper six sigma knowledge if you would like to improve something not too much complicated, just do it. Evaluate results prior, and after the change. What is your feeling about it? what have you learned? Do you feel, you can handle larger efforts?
Green belt or Black belt?
Ask yourself, why do you need green belt or black belt training first? Is it something, you are interested in? Or do you think, it can be useful for your career? Or somebody, like your boss is forcing you to take it? What expectations you have? Do you see opportunities for method usage in your current role?
Answering all these questions will help you to understand if six sigma is right for you. If you need complex training, or you will use just some tools. In the case using just several tools, green belt training will be enough. If your are solving issues between departments, helping customers succeed, leading larger group of people, black belt training is for you.
Project selection – calculator
I recommend you testing project idea on project calculator, I have developed based on my training experiences. It will help you to determine, how demanding leading project will be for you.
Selection tool downolad
Write down pros and cons
I was forced for BB training almost 10 years ago, and do not regret single minute I spent on that training. But there are other guys that were in class with me, and do not use method at all. Do not be one of them trained and used 80% Spend your time and money more wisely.
However. I strongly believe in six sigma. I live daily in projects; I see smiley faces after improvements. It can be easy if you are enthusiastic about it, but it can be nightmare for you if you hate it.
So, write down what you have learned based on advices listed above,
But wriite both, possitives and negatives. Which one exceeds? What you can learn from positives? What you can change and improve on negative ones? Try everythink possible to not waste your time and money.
How to develop a Project charter? (+template) -read here
I do videos, blog posts, and all templates for free, in my free time. I will appreciate if you can donate me a cup of cofee, for more energy in my creation. (1 dollar counts, too 😉 Click on this link: I would like to support Erik in his effort
We are on the same boat
Congratulations.
You passed Lean Six Sigma training and certification. It was quite heavy effort, wasn´t it? so many new gained information, so much time spent on it. and money invested into education.
Maybe you are lost after so many information. Maybe you do not know where to start, how to begin. I understand you.
I passed the same experience. And I would like to help you.
Erik from six sigma mania
But it will required you to do some steps.
Follow these few easy advices, and your surroundings will thank you. You will feel fantastic about it and who knows, promotion is waiting for you just behind to the corner.
What to do after the training?
Review your commitment again
Think about your commitment again. What was the reason, you attended training? Was it interesting for you to know something new? Or do you expect career growth? Were you pushed by your boss? Whatever reason it was, think yourself, what other benefits it can bring you. List them on paper. One of it can be changing daily routine.
Set up focus time
Dedicate minimally two times 1 hour weekly for working on improvements. This is so important. It is Step out of your regular working week. It is not just about repeating knowledge. it is about applying knowledge to real cases. This regularity will help you to build leading by example habit. Be the first one, who think different. Who is able to identify wastes and enables changes.
Can you imagine, how huge impact this will have on your life?
So, schedule time into your calendar. End every session by identification, what you will work on the next one.
Develop ToDo list
Identify 3 opportunities for improvement.. There are so many processes to be improved. So many opportunities to work easier. Identify it by yourself. Or Your colleagues can help you, if you need other ideas. Just ask them what they are not satisfied with. You can ask them to join you in improvement effort and do it together.
Run project
Run the most easier project. Choose the simplest one out of those 3 from previous step. It should be very short term, easy fix think. Even though is easy, use some tools like charter, SIPOC, Fish bone, 5 whys, spaghetti diagram, and so on. Choose solution based on some data review. Remember, project management is everything, but solo play. So, ask and involve 1 or 2 of your colleagues to this effort. It should not take more than 1 month to complete. Choose more and more complicated projects during a time.
9 steps to create SMART project plan (+template) – read here
The best certification companies review:
I have reviewed top 11 six sigma green belt and black belt certification companies. Download this list to know more details to choose company that fits to you the best.
Share results
Once you have finalized any of your projects, present it. Take a picture before, and after the change. Show results on data. Try to create some simple graphs. Call your supervisor, manager, your colleagues. Your project team must be there too. It can be 5 to 10 minutes presentation. But do it. Imagine your self as a hero, that helps others. What a great feeling, isn´t it?
Sponsor / manager reviews
Schedule regular meetings with your manager or sponsor to discuss projects. It can be weekly or by-weekly. This advice I received right after the training and it was the greatest one. Reviewing projects progress, discussing how to overcome roadblocks, defining new strategies. Great about it is, that your manager is onboard and direction you go is the right one. Schedule it into both calendars. No problem, if you cancel it sometimes.
Find a mentor.
This is easier, if you work in larger organization, like I do. Or organizations where six sigma is part of the culture. Or there are Facebook groups with people happy to spend some time with you. Or just put your question into comments. Mentor can help you with choosing right tools to use. Giving advice if needed. Do not hesitate to use mentors to grow. You can share your experience and knowledge too. And what you know? You can become friends after some time.
I do videos, blog posts, and all templates for free, in my free time. I will appreciate if you can donate me a cup of cofee, for more energy in my creation. (1 dollar counts, too 😉 Click on this link: I would like to support Erik in his effort
Visit my YouTube channel, where you can find many helpful tips, on project management, lean and six sigma methodology.
I post lean six sigma and project-oriented articles and videos regularly. Do not forget to subscribe to receive regular updates.
Yours sincerely Erik