Business Management ABCs

Your Future As Six Sigma Black Belt

If you have been able to suggest different ideas that have proven to be beneficial in the enhancement of the implementation of Six Sigma, you might be ready to move to the next level. If multi-tasking is not a problem for you and you are ready to accept responsibility for yourself as well as those working under you, it might be time. If you possess leadership qualities to ensure you will see that the job gets done, while at the same time you can accept, balance, delegate and oversee multiple projects, you may be ready to become a Six Sigma Black Belt.

For advancement, you will need some additional training that will result in Six Sigma Black Belt certification. By the time you have finished your training you will possess a thorough working knowledge of Six Sigma philosophies and principles. You will have total understanding of the application of the supporting systems and tools, knowing how and when to use each one. You will have expertise in the DMAIC model and its use with the principles of Six Sigma. A basic understanding of the lean enterprise concepts is a must so you will be able to identify activities that will not be beneficial to the project.

Your primary concern will be the execution of the project, or projects, that have been assigned to you by your superiors. You will work with them to determine the deployment strategy to be used for each project. It will mean accepting responsibility for yourself and those people you choose to be on your team, to ensure the project is completed to everyone’s satisfaction. You will be responsible for training and coaching your subordinates. It will be your added responsibility to advise management by providing feedback on the project, thus allowing them to achieve their goals. If you can see a better way of achieving an end you must communicate your plan to your superiors and be able to support your views. During training, you will be provided with all of the information, guidance, and tools necessary for you to attain Six Sigma Black Belt certification, which as a total package will ensure your supervisory role over the program within your company. Six Sigma Black Belts work full time in this capacity. The bottom line, and ultimate goal of any project is to save money and those savings should amount to a substantial number based on the size of your company. If you understand and accept all of these facts, you are ready to proceed down the road to the level of Six Sigma Black Belt.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions – Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.