Six Sigma is a methodical, data driven strategic management system with the fundamental objective of improving customer and stakeholder value through process improvement and variation reduction with the aim of developing and delivering near-perfect products and services.
Some may ask, "I thought Six Sigma was a quality improvement program," while others may ask, "I thought Six Sigma was a cost reduction program." The simple answer is that Six Sigma is both a quality improvement program and a process improvement program. However, it has evolved to be much more.
Six Sigma was developed at Motorola with a focus on quality improvement – with a focus on the customer - in the 1980's. At General Electric in the 1990's, the well renowned CEO Jack Welsh, utilized Six Sigma as a cost reduction tool – with a focus on the provider. Today, Six Sigma is known as Generation III and is modeled after implementation at DuPont. While the fundamental methodology is the same for all generations of Six Sigma, two substantial improvements were made in Generation III:
- Focus on value for both the customer and provider.
- Linking of Six Sigma projects to the organizations strategic management objectives.
What is unique about Ball State's Lean Six Sigma Certification?
MindPro® Training System: Through a generous donation from Mikel Harry, Six Sigma Architect, best-selling author, and Ball State alumnus, Ball State University is able to offer the MindPro® Training System which was developed and is taught by Mikel Harry.
Online Convenience: Your Lean Six Sigma Certification can be obtained completely online, using MindPro® - a Revolutionary Lean Six Sigma Training System.
Self-paced Learning: Training is designed for about one hour of study per day. However, you can set your own pace. You can spend additional time in the areas you are unfamiliar and less time in areas in which you are familiar.
Credit and Non-Credit Options: Not only can you receive a non-credit Lean Six Sigma Certification, but you can also choose to take university credit classes leading to Certification. You can choose from live on-campus and online distance classes.
Different Levels of Certification: You choose the level of certification. Ball State offers Lean Six Sigma White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt for manufacturing, Green Belt for commercial (non-manufacturing) – organizations, and Black Belt certification.
Project Guidance and Evaluation: Upon completion of the Mindpro® training, you will be issued a Certificate of Proficiency which indicates you have mastered the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge. However, Green and Black Belt certifications require completion of a Six Sigma project. You have two choices with regard to project completion and certification:
- Organizations that have Six Sigma Black Belts on staff may elect to have "in-house" Black Belts mentor and evaluate the project. The organization would then issue the Black Belt certification as the final step in the certification process.
- Optionally, the project will be monitored by Six Sigma Black Belts on staff at Ball State and Ball State will jointly issue the Black Belt certification with the organization.
Online Support: You will have access to Ball State's Lean Six Sigma Forum to ask questions and interact with others who are seeking certification.
For more information about this program, please email us or call (765) 285-5650.