What does a Six Sigma Black Belt do?
You may have noticed that Six Sigma Black Belts are referred to with a kind of reverence and awe. Why is that?
It’s because they are the bringers of dynamic change for the better in any organisation they work with.
What does that mean?
To understand this “bringers of dynamic change” statement, let’s look at what Six Sigma Black Belts are, what they do, and how that positively impacts their place of work.
What is a Six Sigma Black Belt?
Six Sigma is a process improvement methodology that is often combined with the waste streamlining approach of Lean to bring about improvements to processes and culture in a business.
You may have heard of different Six Sigma Belt levels. These include White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt, and our focus here, Black Belt.
A Six Sigma Black Belt is the most advanced level of knowledge, skill, and certification within the belt system.
Those who are Six Sigma Black Belt credential holders boast experience, extensive knowledge, and a track-record for success in driving transformational process improvement.
What do they do?
There are many facets to the Black Belt role. Here are some of the most important elements to note:
Six Sigma Black Belts…
… look at the organisation as a whole
Rather than focusing on just improving processes within their team or department, as a project manager or many Green Belts would, a Six Sigma Black Belt will work cross-functionally to bring improvements throughout the business.
… can achieve higher-hanging fruit
The advanced knowledge and tools possessed by Six Sigma Black Belts means that they can obtain harder-to-reach improvements and savings.
… are mentors
Part of the Six Sigma Black Belt role is to support other Lean Six Sigma personnel in their projects. They particularly mentor Lean Six Sigma Green Belts, providing guidance and advice on their initiatives.
… are creative problem-solvers
A Black Belt can often see a creative solution to a problem that is invisible to others. Through their experience and extensive study, they have built up a repertoire of problem-solving skills that are a large part of why Six Sigma Black Belts are sought after in every industry.
What a Six Sigma Black Belt means for a Company
You can see from the key tasks they carry out above that qualified, confident Six Sigma Black Belt practitioners are extremely valuable for any organisation.
Although some Black Belts choose to work in a consultancy capacity, you’ll often find them on the leadership team of businesses. Here, they can strategise with other key personnel to create a smart, innovative path forward for the company.
Becoming a Six Sigma Black Belt
If you’ve got plenty of experience with Lean Six Sigma or process improvement, you could be ready to take the next step towards a Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
Find a Six Sigma Black Belt training and certification option that works for your schedule and your goals, and get started on your way to becoming a change-bringer!
