| Many are surprised that Six Sigma refers to | | | | It denotes their level of knowledge and |
| their trained experts as "Belts." There are | | | | responsibility. A Belt is simply a signpost |
| Green Belts and Black Belts in Six Sigma, | | | | along the way showing that you have reached a |
| referring to a level of training they have | | | | certain place on the process improvement |
| achieved. The term Black Belt is not an empty | | | | path. |
| buzzword nor is it a mockery of organized | | | | |
| martial arts. Comparing a Six Sigma Black | | | | A Green Belt is an individual who has |
| Belt and Martial Arts Black Belt is a | | | | completed two weeks of training on the Six |
| revealing exercise. | | | | Sigma roadmap and essential elements of |
| | | | statistical methodologies supporting Six |
| Just like in martial arts, to obtain a Black | | | | Sigma projects and who is a member of a Six |
| Belt in Six Sigma requires training that | | | | Sigma process improvement team. A Black Belt |
| teaches skills and discipline. A Black Belt | | | | is an individual who has completed four weeks |
| in both martial arts and Six Sigma is a | | | | of training focusing on the Six Sigma Roadmap |
| designation that is not given way or can be | | | | and extensive statistical methodologies and |
| bought "off the shelf;" it is something that | | | | is experienced in leading cross-functional |
| is earned through hard work. Also like in | | | | process improvement teams. Black Belts become |
| martial arts, achieving Black Belt level is | | | | leaders of Six Sigma project teams. |
| not an end but a beginning. Six Sigma is | | | | |
| about continual learning and continual | | | | The Six Sigma Black Belt training includes |
| improvement. Six Sigma is not a mastery of a | | | | the curriculum of the Six Sigma Green Belt |
| finite set of knowledge but an understanding | | | | training as well as more complex Six Sigma |
| of a method. Like in martial arts, being a | | | | Black Belt content. The Six Sigma Black Belt |
| Six Sigma Black Belt is a responsibility. | | | | training program requires that a Six Sigma |
| It's about intensity, hard work, and | | | | improvement project be conducted as the |
| discovery. While it is correct to say that a | | | | capstone and final training program |
| Black Belt is an expert, it doesn't make them | | | | requirement for Six Sigma Black Belt |
| an elitist. The black belt is not as | | | | certification. |
| important as the practice itself. Black Belts | | | | |
| are mentors to others who share their skills | | | | There is an even higher level: Master Black |
| and seek to continually improve themselves, | | | | Belt. This is an individual very highly |
| those around them, and the organization as a | | | | trained and experienced in the Six Sigma |
| whole. | | | | methodology who acts as the organization-wide |
| | | | Six Sigma program manager. He or she oversees |
| Ultimately, business process improvement is | | | | and mentors Black Belts and process |
| achieved through the attainment of knowledge. | | | | improvement projects and provides guidance to |
| Since knowledge is a commodity that people | | | | Black Belts as needed. A Master Black Belt |
| acquire, organizations must recognize their | | | | teaches other Six Sigma students throughout |
| people as their most valued assets. Awarding | | | | the organization and helps them achieve Green |
| people who have completed Six Sigma training | | | | Belt and Black Belt status. |
| a Belt title is an appropriate designation. | | | | |