Certification & Training

Should the first project a Black Belt works on (the one that the Black Belt does for training) be one of substance or one that is a sure winner without much substance?

The first Black Belt project is just that – a training project. It is not a platform from which to attempt solving world hunger, or the like. The purpose of a training project is two fold. The first purpose is related to the reinforcement of learning. The second purpose is to realize an operational objective…

no comments

Do you think being Six Sigma specialist is a good career for years to come?

Dr. Mikel Harry

I do not believe that any of the Six Sigma roles should constitute a career, as they are temporary job assignments.

no comments

Could You Recommend a Book that Will Lay a Foundation Prior to Any Formal Six Sigma Training?

Dr. Mikel Harry

The following references will provide a very nice overview of the field – from general theory to in-depth case studies: 1) Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing the World’s Top Corporations by Mikel J. Harry, Ph.D. and Richard Schroeder, Doubleday 2000. 2) Six Sigma Leadership Handbook by Rath and Strong Staff, John Wiley &…

no comments

I am a consultant with 3 years of quality experience. How should I go about earning a Six Sigma certification?

Dr. Mikel Harry

By the nature of your question, I would assume you are a quality professional of some type or form – especially now that you provide consulting services within this arena. I find it most interesting that you have only three years experience as a quality practitioner, but now serve as a quality consultant. Given such…

no comments

Why are some people made to feel inappropriate for desiring a Six Sigma certification?

Dr. Mikel Harry

Having originated the term “Black Belt” at Unisys Corporation in 1986, pioneered its development at Motorola’s Six Sigma Research Institute in 1990, focused its purpose at Asea Brown Boveri in 1993, delivered its promise at Allied Signal in 1994, and set its destiny at General Electric in 1995, it should stand without saying that this…

no comments

I am working on a six sigma project via teleconferencing with very minimal management support. What will it take for me to be successful?

Dr. Mikel Harry

No, this is not a challenge; it’s called “dreaming.” You have to be joking – a six sigma project (over the phone) with little management support – and you are asking me if it will be successful? My best advice is for you to; a) approach your management in a courteous way, and then b)…

no comments

What references would you suggest to learn about Six Sigma via self-study?

Dr. Mikel Harry

The following references will provide a very nice overview of the field – from general theory to in-depth case studies: 1) “Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing the World’s Top Corporations” by Mikel J. Harry, Ph.D. and Richard Schroeder, Doubleday 2000. 2) “Jack Welch and the GE Way: Management Insights and Leadership Secrets of…

no comments

How many Black Belts are there and how can it improve my career?

Dr. Mikel Harry

Sometime in the not too distant past, I recall that Quality Progress magazine reported on a study that considered annualized Black Belt earnings. For the exact information on this, you would obviously have to reference the original article. However, my less-than-perfect memory seems to inform me that a Black Belt earns about $9K(US) to $10K(US)…

no comments

In your original Six Sigma vision there were no career Black Belts, but now there are some. Is this bad?

Dr. Mikel Harry

Personally speaking, I agree with all your points – and many others that are not specifically called out. For example, it is my humble opinion that the recent trend of certifying Black Belts (not excluding Green Belts) has the potential to alienate the various roles of Six Sigma from the pressing needs of a corporation….

no comments

I am confused about which institution I should choose for my Black Belt certification. What approach should I use?

Dr. Mikel Harry

Please reference this previous question. This question and answer examines how to select a “good” Six Sigma consultant. In summary, you must consider the consultant’s credentials. In the consulting business, credentials are everything – plain and simple. If a consultant does not have the necessary credentials, they should not be considered (for anything). Following is…

no comments

What is the minimum qualification required to be a Six Sigma black belt?

Dr. Mikel Harry

A Black Belt curriculum cannot, by any stretch, be considered to possess the same level of tool mastery as, say, statisticians or quality engineers (CQE). In true self-fulfilling manner, the more certain professionals try to circumscribe the Black Belt role with the notion of tool mastery, the more they form the notion that Black Belts…

no comments

What is the best way to transfer knowledge from a Black Belt to Green Belts?

Dr. Mikel Harry

Personally, I believe you should consider a “train-the-trainer” program – especially if you have no prior teaching experience. Its one thing to know the material, its quite another to teach it. Believe me, you quickly discover how much you don’t know about a subject when you first start teaching. You will simply be amazed at…

no comments

I am Quality Auditor and would like to get trained in Six Sigma. Which belt should I pursue?

Dr. Mikel Harry

I would strongly recommend that you do some “personal due diligence” on the Internet. Reference such words as “Six Sigma Training.” Many articles have been written on the support roles of Six Sigma. Past issues of such magazines as “Quality Progress” will have information on the subject. Pick up the phone and call a Six…

no comments

If a person wants to get a Six Sigma certification is it necessary to get it through a particular organization?

Dr. Mikel Harry

In principle, I am rationally opposed to Black Belt certifications, as are many other business executives. However, I do believe that it is important to document the scope and depth of one’s knowledge in a given field of study. But to the counter of this, we must concede that the position of a Black Belt…

no comments

What are the key differentiators between an experienced Black Belt and a Master Black Belt?

Dr. Mikel Harry

Plain and simple, the illusive key to the realization of six sigma is knowledge. In today’s economy, the capability to harness and deploy knowledge constitutes an essential form of power. It is a form of power than can develop the momentum for and delivery of quantum change. Knowledge represents a corporation’s greatest source of leverage,…

no comments

What are the job prospects if I only have Six Sigma training and not certification? What does the CSSBB exam entail?

Dr. Mikel Harry

Please bear in mind that Six Sigma (per se) is not a career. Although certain roles have been well defined (such as Black Belt, Green Belt, Champion, and so on), these positions are not permanent jobs or career positions. They are temporary assignments for those classified as being “high potential.” Having a degree in business…

no comments

Certification & Training

Should the first project a Black Belt works on (the one that the Black Belt does for training) be one of substance or one that is a sure winner without much substance?

Do you think being Six Sigma specialist is a good career for years to come?

Could You Recommend a Book that Will Lay a Foundation Prior to Any Formal Six Sigma Training?

I am a consultant with 3 years of quality experience. How should I go about earning a Six Sigma certification?

Why are some people made to feel inappropriate for desiring a Six Sigma certification?

I am working on a six sigma project via teleconferencing with very minimal management support. What will it take for me to be successful?

What references would you suggest to learn about Six Sigma via self-study?

How many Black Belts are there and how can it improve my career?

In your original Six Sigma vision there were no career Black Belts, but now there are some. Is this bad?

I am confused about which institution I should choose for my Black Belt certification. What approach should I use?

What is the minimum qualification required to be a Six Sigma black belt?

What is the best way to transfer knowledge from a Black Belt to Green Belts?

I am Quality Auditor and would like to get trained in Six Sigma. Which belt should I pursue?

If a person wants to get a Six Sigma certification is it necessary to get it through a particular organization?

What are the key differentiators between an experienced Black Belt and a Master Black Belt?

What are the job prospects if I only have Six Sigma training and not certification? What does the CSSBB exam entail?

Inside iSixSigma

Instant Insider Report PDF Download!