Are you looking for Lean Six Sigma Certification from the American Society for Quality, USA? This article will provide you with an overview of Lean Six Sigma Certification.

Does ASQ offer Lean Six Sigma Certification?

The answer to this question is both Yes and No. We know it is confusing, please read through this article to get a better understanding.

ASQ currently offers four levels of Six Sigma Certification. To know the difference between these four levels as per the definition of ASQ, please click the following:

1. Six Sigma Yellow Belt – Participates as a project team member. Reviews process improvements that support the project. Has a small role, interest, or need to develop foundational knowledge of Six Sigma, whether as an entry-level employee or an executive champion.

2. Six Sigma Green Belt – Assists with data collection and analysis for Black Belt projects. Leads Green Belt projects or teams.

3. Six Sigma Black Belt – Leads problem-solving projects. Trains and coaches project teams. Understands Six Sigma philosophies and principles, including the supporting systems and tools. Demonstrates team leadership and understands all aspects of the DMAIC model in accordance with Six Sigma principles.

4. Six Sigma Master Black Belt – Trains and coaches Black Belts and Green Belts. Functions more at the Six Sigma program level by developing key metrics and the strategic direction. Acts as an organization’s Six Sigma technologist and internal consultant.

If you have noticed ASQ does not include the term “Lean” in the certification title. Few other Six Sigma Certification providers had included “Lean” in their Six Sigma Certification title, for example, Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. 

So here comes the next question. 

Does It Mean ASQ Six Sigma Certification Is Not Lean?

All four levels (Yellow, Green, Black, and Master Black) of ASQ Six Sigma Certifications include “Lean” concepts, tools, and techniques in its body of knowledge.

For Example:

ASQ Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt includes the following Lean topics in the Body of Knowledge (that will be assessed in the exam).

Lean Foundations and Principles: Describe the purpose of lean (waste elimination) and its methodologies (just-in-time, poka-yoke, kanban, value stream mapping). Describe the value of lean to the organization as a whole. 

ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belt includes the following Lean topics in the Body of Knowledge (that will be assessed in the exam).

Lean Concepts: Define and describe lean concepts such as the theory of constraints, value chain, flow, and perfection.

Value Stream Mapping: Use value stream mapping to identify value-added processes and steps or processes that produce waste, including excess inventory, unused space, test inspection, rework, transportation, and storage. 

ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt includes the following Lean topics in the Body of Knowledge (that will be assessed in the exam).

Lean Methods:

1. Waste Elimination: Select and apply tools and techniques for eliminating or preventing waste, e.g., pull systems, kanban, 5S, standard work, poka-yoke. 

2. Cycle-Time Reduction: Use various tools and techniques for reducing cycle time, e.g., continuous flow, single-minute exchange of die (SMED), heijunka (production leveling). 

3. Kaizen: Define and distinguish between kaizen and kaizen blitz and describe when to use each method. 

4. Other Improvement Tools And Techniques: Identify and describe how other process improvement methodologies are used, e.g., theory of constraints (TOC), overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

ASQ Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, is primarily focused on professionals who have done more than 10 Six Sigma Projects and takes the role of coaching and mentoring. The body of knowledge is primarily focused on leadership, coaching, training, etc.

So does it make sense, when we said Yes and No? Even Though ASQ does not include the term “Lean” in the certification title, Lean is an important element in ASQ Six Sigma Certification. 

Why Is ASQ NOT Including “Lean” In The Certification Title?

ASQ might have a better answer to this question, however, our best guess is the following:

• • • ASQ is a century-old certification body and has been offering Six Sigma certification for decades. Making changes to their certification title could be a lengthy process and this particular scenario doesn’t really warrant a change in the certification title.
    • Six Sigma should anyway focus on Lean because we look to achieve Six Sigma in an efficient (Lean) manner. So it is quite obvious Six Sigma should include Lean, without the need to include it in the title.
    • ASQ might have thought adding Lean in the certification title might confuse professionals in the service sector and give a wrong signal that it is suitable only for the manufacturing industry, a popular misunderstanding. Lean is applicable to any industry.

 

Should You Consider ASQ Certification?

Absolutely Yes. Just because they don’t have the word Lean on the certification title, doesn’t mean ASQ Six Sigma Certification doesn’t include Lean.

Similarly, just because some other certification body includes the word Lean on their certification title, doesn’t mean they will have more lean concepts or topics in their body of knowledge. 

While choosing the certification, what matters is the Certification body authority and its reputation on the internal market and prospective employers.

Would you rather choose a certification body that started a couple of years or months back with no credibility or choose a 100-year old certification body that is considered as Gold Standard in Six Sigma?

The choice is yours, and we are sure, you will make the right choice. 

If you decided to pursue ASQ Six Sigma Certification, why not make another right choice by choosing 3FOLD Training.

3FOLD offers a Six Sigma Green and Black Belt Combo Exam Review Course. Please fill up the form, email, or whatsapp with your queries. We would be glad to answer all your queries.