Is Lean Six Sigma Right for Your Company? Gain insights from a Master Black Belt about the benefits and considerations of Lean Six Sigma

What is Lean & Six Sigma? Could your company benefit from professionals with Lean & Six Sigma training and certification? Find the answers to these questions and more from the Rutgers School of Business. Below is our interview with a Lean & Six Sigma Master Black Belt with insights into this highly effective approach to business process improvement.

Q: Lean & Six Sigma vs. Project Management: What’s the difference? Does a company need both?

A: Lean Six Sigma training and certification teaches business professionals about specific methodology that systematically eliminates waste and inefficiencies, errors and variation in business processes. By understanding the core principles of this methodology, which rely on team collaboration to combine lean management with statistical quality control, professionals are better equipped to streamline and improve processes within their companies, and continue to improve results over time.

Project Management Professional training helps professionals acquire the skills they need to manage projects – which have a beginning and end – according to Project Management best practices. These skills, applied to Lean Six Sigma projects, ensure that continuous improvements are delivered on time and on budget. These two training programs are not explicitly dependent upon each other, but professionals with both are an even greater asset to their company and have a more attractive résumé.

Q: We’re not a manufacturing company – is Lean & Six Sigma a fit for us?

A: Lean & Six Sigma is a methodology implemented by companies throughout a wide variety of industries. Healthcare organizations, retail companies, financial services, manufacturing, logistics, non-profits and numerous others have benefitted from the Lean & Six Sigma approaches. The program’s focus on eliminating waste, improving efficiency and reducing errors is not industry specific. With its widely-applicable tools and techniques, any organization can benefit from the higher efficiency and lower costs that its implementation affords.

Q: Should employees earn a Green Belt or Black Belt?

A: The choice of Green Belt of Black Belt training and certification will depend upon the extent to which you wish to master Lean & Six Sigma skills. Green Belt training is a stepping stone for professionals interested in Black Belt training. A student must first complete Green Belt training to enroll in Black Belt training. Green Belt training provides introductory instruction on business performance analysis and application, combining lean process philosophy and Six Sigma tools. Black Belt training also combines these tools and philosophy, but dives deeper into the “Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control” processes with interactive exercises that focus on a variety of statistical methods and waste elimination practices.  Black Belt professionals will also be able to act as a mentor to Green Belts in their organization.

Q:  Why choose the Rutgers University – Camden program?

A:  The Rutgers University – Camden program offers interactive, engaging instruction and mentorship that ensures professionals receive the highest level of training. Rutgers’ tradition of excellence and partnership with Lockheed Martin, renowned for its effective business approaches, ensure that professionals acquire the skills and insight they need to be highly successful. The flexible learning environments—many programs can be completed both online or in a traditional classroom setting—ensure that acquiring Project Management and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt training and certification is convenient for students. The programs are designed so that in many cases students can work at their own pace.

Q:  Do we need to convert completely to Lean and Six Sigma or can we start small and work our way in to it?

A: Lean & Six Sigma methodology does not have to be implemented all at once. Many companies and organizations prefer to adapt it in steps. With careful strategic planning, this can lead to quick, sustainable gains which will build upon one another as more people and more business units are trained and begin using the methodology.  A sample Lean & Six Sigma Implementation Roadmap is available to help you see how to realize benefits at every stage of implementation. https://execed.rutgers.edu/learn-more/

Q: What if my organization is not data-driven right now?  Doesn’t Lean & Six Sigma require a lot of statistics?

A: Statistics is used in the Lean & Six Sigma methodology, but should not be viewed as roadblock to participating in process improvement. Professionals that complete Lean & Six Sigma training and certification will acquire the statistical skills they need to effectively implement the methodology. In other words, necessary statistical skills can be taught. Lean & Six Sigma’s varying levels of training also require varying understanding of statistics. Green Belt training does not require the same expertise as Black Belt training (these training programs build upon each other). Note, too, that professionals that complete the Lean & Six Sigma training and certification will benefit from the guidance and expertise of a Rutgers Master Black Belt.

About Rutgers School of Business Camden Executive Education Lean & Six Sigma Certification

Rutgers University – Camden is a recognized leader in Executive Education, especially in the area of certification programs for Lean & Six Sigma. The programs are designed to provide maximum impact with flexibility for participants. Learn more about the Rutgers Executive Education Lean & Six Sigma programs by visiting us online or contacting us today.