Top 5 Six Sigma Certification Courses in 2023 - Best of Lot

Six Sigma is a set of techniques and tools that an organization can use to increase the capability of its business processes. This will lead to an increase in performance, which means an increase in profits, employee morale, and quality of products and services. The Six Sigma process was invented the American engineer Bill Smith in 1986 when he was working in Motorola. Six Sigma essentially means that all processes can be defined, measured, analyzed, improved, and controlled. Each process will have some inputs and some outputs. If you control the inputs, it also means that you have control over the outputs.
Six Sigma tools vary from qualitative and quantitative techniques that can be used to improve processes. These tools can be control charts, statistical process controls, failure mode and effects analysis, and process mapping.

Six Sigma methodology is underlined by a rigorous DMAIC approach, which starts with identifying a problem and ends with the implementation of long-term solutions to solve that problem. In addition to DMAIC, there are many other methodologies that Six Sigma practitioners may use, even though DMAIC is the most popular and widely used methodology.

There are several definitions for Six Sigma. For example, Six Sigma is the use of teams that are assigned well-defined projects that have a direct impact on the company's bottom line. It also involves substantial training in statistical thinking and providing extensive training in advanced statistics to key people. These key people are also called Black Belts.

In Six Sigma, there is an emphasis on the DMAIC approach to solving problems: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. In terms of metrics, quality performance in Six Sigma means that there should only be 3.4 defects per million opportunities.

Six Sigma strategies can also be used to improve/increase manufacturing quality by identifying and removing causes of defects and other variables that cannot be controlled. This can be aided by empirical and statistical methods, as well as hiring Six Sigma experts.

While Six Sigma is focused on increasing process control and reducing process variation, Lean Six Sigma is focused on reducing non-value-added processes and procedures. There is not much difference between Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma, and both approaches should be used to attain positive results.

What are the best Six Sigma Certification Online Courses to Join in 2023?

We have done the hard work for you and compiled a list of the best Six Sigma courses and certifications available online. These best Six Sigma online courses are chosen from popular learning websites and platforms like Udemy, Pluralsight, and edX.  Check out the list below.

1. Six Sigma: Define and Measure [edX]

This course will give you an introduction to the Six Sigma methodology and the DMAIC process improvement cycle. This course is also focused on the Define and Measure phases, which include some basic statistics for understanding sampling plans and calculating process capability.

Students will get a basic understanding of setting project goals, calculating process yield, and identifying critical-to-quality parameters. The course lectures are complemented with interactive exercises to induct the students into a practical approach.

Course Duration: Approximately 8 weeks

Students will learn how to map a process and use the necessary statistical tools to establish the current performance of a process and calculate the process capabilities.

Students completing this course will earn a TUM Lean and Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification. The study materials of this course are based on the American Society for Quality Body of Knowledge up to a Green Belt level.

2. Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, BKO Accredited Training [Udemy]

This is an accredited academic Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training and certification course that will help students in preparing for external exams like ASQ, IAASC, or other academic trajectories for Lean Six Sigma certification. This course is provided by the Six Sigma Academy Amsterdam, which is a BKO accredited university following ASQ guidelines.

The expert instructors at the Six Sigma Academy Amsterdam will use tried and tested methods to teach students effectively and efficiently, thereby saving valuable time. Students will learn how to apply Lean Six Sigma in any industry. 

Course Duration: 6 hours
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5

The lecturers will also show the students how to run a Six Sigma project with special attention to practical use. Students will also learn how to apply Six Sigma Green Belt applications in MS Excel.
The course consists of 6 hours of on-demand video lectures as well as many other articles and educational resources that can be downloaded.

Here is the link to join this course - Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, BKO Accredited Training

3. Six Sigma Yellow Belt Specialization [Coursera]

This Yellow Belt Specialization course will help students improve their careers with Six Sigma knowledge. Students will be exposed to proven principles and tools to improve the quality assurance in their organization.

Since this is a Yellow Belt specialization course, it is mainly intended for beginners curious about the basic components of Six Sigma and Lean Sigma. These skills can help students improve business processes, performance, and quality assurance. 

Course Duration: Approximately 5 months
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5.

The course is designed in a linear manner which will help students move on to the Green Belt Specialization after completing this course. This course is offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology, which is a very reputed institution.

By the way,  you have two options to join this course, you can either join this course alone which costs around $39 per month for specialization, you can also join Coursera Plus for $59 per month, a subscription plan from Coursera which gives you unlimited access to their most popular courses, specialization, professional certificate, and guided projects. 

4. Lean Six Sigma Foundations [Pluralsight]

This course will help students understand the history, principles, philosophy, as well as the basic structure of Six Sigma’s practices and purposes. This course is perfectly suited for students looking to prepare for the Lean Six Sigma White or Yellow Belt certification from CSSC. 

Finally, this course will aid you in your journey towards the Black Belt certification.
This course will impart to students the foundational knowledge needed to start working on a Lean Six Sigma improvement project. Students will discover the importance of quality management, as well as the agile practices based on Scrum. 

Course Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Students finished with this course will have the skills and knowledge to connect the tools and methodology of Lean Six Sigma. The trainer of this course is Frederico Aranha, who is an expert in PMP, ITIL, and Scrum Master. The course can be completed in a short amount of time.

By the way, you would need a Pluralsight membership to join this course which costs around $29 per month or $299 per year (14% discount). I highly recommend this subscription to all programmers as it provides instant access to more than 7000+ online courses to learn any tech skill. Alternatively, you can also use their 10-day-free-pass to watch this course for FREE.

5. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Training, BKO Accredited [Udemy]

This course is perfect for students looking to learn tools like FMEA (failure mode and effect analysis), Theory of Constraints, Kano Analysis, Design of Experiments, QFD (Quality Function Development), and more.  

Course Duration: 4 hours
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5

Students will also be able to apply Lean Six Sigma tools like Multiple Regression, NPV Analysis, and Confidence Intervals in Microsoft Excel. This course has more than 3 hours of video lectures, along with other educational materials. Students will get lifetime access to all the course content.

Conclusion

A Six Sigma certification will help you improve your capabilities as a leader in your company. Six Sigma strategies can be used to increase customer satisfaction and reduce running costs. This will lead to a growth in revenue and an increase in productivity.

The skillsets you gain will give you an advantage over your competition. It will also be a valuable addition to your CV. A Six Sigma certification will be hugely beneficial to you if you are working as a Supervisor, Manager, Team Leader, Business Process Manager, Program Manager, or Business Analyst.

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