Six Sigma training

Implementing Six Sigma within your organization will be similar to implementing any other company-wide initiative. Yet it is important to understand that determining the content and framework, developing the materials, and rolling it out to the company is only half of the necessary work. The other half will be changing the company culture.

Six Sigma Training is one of the most important factors that will contribute to and help modify and shape an organization's culture. One of the first steps is to identify who in your organization is required to be Six Sigma trained and what type of Six Sigma training they should receive. Here are some of the factors you should consider-

Senior Management, who are also known as 'C-Level Management' (CEO, CIO, CFO and peers), are the individuals that set, communicate and drive the overall business objectives. It is important to understand that they are also the individuals that are required to incorporate Six Sigma objectives into their operational plans. Examples of these objectives might include:

• X% of employees processed through Six Sigma training by a certain date
• Y% reduction in defects for all customer visible processes by the quarter end
• $Z in back-office projects savings seen by year end

Six Sigma training for Senior Management will also need to include a program overview, business and financial benefits of implementation, real-world examples of successful deployments, specific application to business/industry, and the required Six Sigma training and tools to ensure successful implementation. Depending on the Senior Management time availability and their desire to learn the details, Black Belt training is also recommended.

Functional and Process Managers are the level of management that directly report to the Senior Management. Depending on the size of your organization, they might include functional managers from areas such as human resources, finance and training, and process managers from areas such as assembly, production and the call center.

These managers are also sometimes referred to as "sponsors" and "champions" because they are known to champion the cause within their business organization. These champions translate the Senior Management's strategic directions into tactical objectives and actions with the help of their Quality Leader and Project Leaders.

Six Sigma training for Functional and Process Managers is far more detailed than that provided to Senior Management. Topics will include the Six Sigma concept, methodology, tools and requirements to ensure successful implementation within their organization. In addition depending on Functional/Process Manager time availability and their desire to learn the details, Black Belt training is also recommended.

Quality Leaders, who are also known as Quality Managers and Master Black Belts, help Functional and Process Managers set and lead the Six Sigma vision within their specific areas. They are also the personnel who maintain rolled up budgets, track business cost savings, ensure training goals are met, coach Functional and Process Managers, Project Leaders and Employees, review projects at milestones, share best practices, and ensure appropriate use of tools and methodologies.

Six Sigma training for Quality Leaders will include detailed information about the concept, methodology and tools, as well as detailed statistics training and computer analysis tool use.

Depending on the instructor and company setup the duration of the training is usually between three and four weeks.

Project Leaders, also known as Black Belts, will implement the Six Sigma methodology and tools within the business. They are the ones to lead the intra- and inter-function projects, maintain time lines and budget, determine appropriate tool use, perform analyses, and act as the central point of contact for specific process improvement projects.

Six Sigma training for Project Leaders will includes detailed information about the concept, methodology and tools. Depending on the instructor, the duration is usually between two and four weeks, and may include one or more weeks in between sections. Statistics may be included in the agenda, but typically does not include as much detail as that provided to Quality Leaders.

Employees, who are also known as Green Belts, may also take Six Sigma training courses developed specifically for part time Project Leaders. While Six Sigma training for Green Belts is similar to Black Belt training, but shorter in duration because there is less detail on complex tools and statistics. Employees instead will be told to ask their Black Belt for help in specific areas.