What Does A Six Sigma Black Belt Signify?

Six sigma is a process that enables business organizations to dramatically improve upon their effectiveness by streamlining operations, improving quality and eliminating mistakes as well as defects. This process is based on the idea that if one has six standard deviations between the process mean and the nearest specification then practically all items would meet the required specifications. It is based on the calculation method used in process capability studies.

Six sigma, as a concept originated from Motorola in the 1980s so as to face their competitors and get the better of them with improved quality. While quality control focuses on detecting errors and defects and correcting them, the six sigma process goes further to ensure that there would be zero error. This process though first designed with the idea of improving manufacturing processes was later extended to other business processes as well.

The terms black belt and green belt are more descriptive of martial arts levels rather than a business program. But in the case of six sigma, these levels were also first adopted by Motorola. Six sigma Black Belt has two levels namely the Master Black belt who is the guru and the black Belt represented by the learner.

The Master Black Belt signifies the highest level of both technical and organizational proficiency. He is the six sigma coach and provides expert advice to a number of process owners as also six sigma improvement teams. He trains the Black Belts and so must have a thorough knowledge of everything that the trainees know in addition to possessing an understanding of the mathematical theory that forms the basis of this process.

The six sigma black belt is also known as the team leader. he is the person who accepts primary responsibility for the routine work and the ensuing results of the six sigma projects. He works with the team members to help implement their plan and also trains them in the six sigma methods and analytical tools. The Black Belt is generally a person who is familiar with the issues that are being analyzed, and will also be a part of the process that has to be improved. They are generally technically oriented people.

Six sigma black belts are expected to acquire mastery over a number of diverse tools within a relatively short period of time. Hence at least a college- level Mathematics knowledge is preferable as a part of the background. They should be in a position to understand more than one operating system, spread sheets, and so on and should also be familiar with statistical analysis software packages at an advanced level.

The six sigma black belts are essentially the foundation of the programs and are completely devoted to carrying out six sigma projects. The Black Belts also interact with the Green Belts as they train them and are thus their mentors. Simultaneously they also interact with the Master Black belts who are their mentors.

Some companies offer a six sigma certification for their employees who complete their training and pass a four hour exam which is a 150 multiple choice question test paper. Six sigma utilizes statistics to reduce or decrease the defects to 99.9997%. Six sigma Black Belt certification shows an increased level of expertise.