Lean Six Sigma GREEN BELT - Special Purpose Award, Certificate in Process Engineering, Level 6, 10 Credits

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Special Purpose Award, Certificate in Process Engineering, Level 6, 10 Credits,

(Case Study based)

Five Day Training Course 

Background

Lean Six Sigma has become the fastest spreading and most successful approach to Continuous Improvement across all industries regardless of size, position in the supply chain or service provided.  An essential element of Six Sigma roll-out is Green Belt training.  This Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training course will expose delegates to the powerful tools and methodology necessary to successfully lead and contribute to DMAIC improvement projects within the organisation.

SQT has two HETAC validated Green Belt programmes. This level 6 programme involves completing the five training days and a case study. Our other level 7 programme involves completing the five training days and a company based project. 

Learning Outcomes

The aim of the programme is to produce graduates who possess the pre-requisite knowledge of theory and practice of Lean Six Sigma to enable them to participate in process improvement efforts in their organisations. This includes successfully leading a Green Belt Team and contributing in a practical and value-added manner to a Black Belt Team Project.

On successful completion of this programme the graduate will:

• Have a good understanding of a variety of graphical and team based problem solving tools and the manner in which these are combined in the process of solving well defined and narrowly scoped business problems
• Have a good understanding of basic statistical concepts while recognizing limits of current knowledge
• Be able to apply well established technical and creative tools to solve well defined and narrowly scoped process problems
• Understand how to formulate a project plan to undertake well defined and narrowly scoped process engineering projects
• Be able to employ an investigative and data driven approach to establish the source of well defined process engineering problems
• Be able to identify, and plan for effective implementation of, solutions to a variety of well defined process engineering problems
• Be able to work effectively as a member of a cross functional problem solving team, often taking responsibility for the work of team members
• Have a good appreciation of the importance of effective communication in managing organisational change 

Who Should Attend

This course is intended to train people as Green Belts who:

• Have unfortunately become newly unemployed. Lean Six Sigma training is seen as very useful up-skilling in order to get back into gainful employment as soon as possible, or
• Are in a company but do not have a suitable project to complete

This course is intended for front line problem solving personnel responsible for resolving process problems in day-to-day operations or responsible for leading Continuous Improvement teams.  It is also intended for those working with Six Sigma Black Belts on major improvement programmes or looking for breakthrough performance in key business metrics.  

Entry Requirements

• Leaving Certificate with minimum of C on lower level mathematics or
• A person who has demonstrated the achievement of this level by approved prior experiential learning (APEL)
• Fundamental competence in basic Microsoft Office suite of software
• A laptop with the most recent version of SigmaXL software. (On Public courses, this software will be supplied to delegates by SQT and is included in the course fee.  On In-House courses, SQT can supply the software licences if required or should your organisation currently use an alternative software package (such as SPCXL or Minitab) this can be used.
• Competence in English language
• Skills that are considered necessary for successful participation in the programme include:

- willingness to learn (reading, research)

- good communication skills

- ability to self-direct 

Course Programme

Define

Aim

To successfully launch a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt project by refining a project charter, leading a project team, garnering support for the project from process stakeholders and ensuring a common understanding of the process across all project participants and stakeholders.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

1. Explain the DMAIC methodology that the project will follow
2. Define a narrowly scoped problem statement using data to quantify the problem and its impact(s) on the organisation
3. Undertake high level process mapping to assess the requirements of internal and external process customers to ensure these are understood by all team members and align with project goals
4. Form, and function within, a project team comprising of peers from different functions with whom the learner has an established working relationship. 
5. Review and refine the project charter to minimize risks to successful project completion
6. Create a basic communications plan to ensure stakeholders are kept informed of the projects progress at regular intervals
7. Create a basic project plan to ensure the project is completed on time

Measure

Aim

To develop a factual and accurate picture of the current state of process performance, identifying areas of weakness within the process for further investigation and achieving ‘quick win’ improvements where possible.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

1. Construct a suitable map of a process with the input of process experts (limited to Deployment, IPO, Flow Maps and Spaghetti maps)
2. Identify waste and potential weaknesses in processes via analysis of process maps, input from process experts, observation or other suitable means.
3. Prepare a basic data collection plan to gather data from the process to address areas of uncertainty among process experts.
4. Evaluate process stability and capability of a process, where required
5. Assess adequacy of process measurement systems and/or create operational definitions for new measures

Analyse

Aim

To understand the drivers of poor performance in a process and select focus areas for improvement actions.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

1. Identify causal relationships in a process using basic graphical analysis and team brainstorming techniques (eg. fishbone diagrams)
2. Complete 5 why root cause analysis to investigate systemic drivers of variation and/or  waste in a process
3. Prioritise possible sources of waste/variation to a shortlist for further investigation
4. Conduct basic graphical analysis of data to answer questions regarding shortlisted factors

Improve

Aim

To develop and implement optimum, sustainable solutions with minimum resistance from stakeholders in the organisation

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

1. Use creative thinking techniques to identify many potential solutions
2. Select appropriate solutions from a list of possible solutions
3. Demonstrate the effectiveness of chosen solutions using pilot studies, test data or post implementation data
4. Identify sources of resistance to proposed solutions and develop plans to overcome this resistance
5. Plan the implementation of a solution to a well defined problem considering effective change control, training of personnel and verification of effectiveness of the solution.

Control

Aim

To verify solutions have been implemented effectively and ongoing controls are institutionalized in the organisation

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject the delegate will be able to:

1. Standardise and simplify work practices to reduce potential for variation in process outputs

2. Select appropriate control techniques for ongoing process control including statistical process controls as appropriate.

3. Create a process control plan to identify responsibility for maintaining process performance at the new, desired level

4. Communicate recommendations for further improvement to project stakeholders and customers, as appropriate. 

Teaching/Learning

This course is a taught course over five days. Delegates complete a written Examination and a Case Study Report using the DMAIC methodology.  Delegates have up to 10 weeks following training to complete their Case Study.

This classroom based course is highly interactive and uses practical exercises to reinforce tool understanding and learning. The training is enhanced by the vast experience of the tutors who have trained hundreds of Green Belts and Black Belts as well as completing numerous transactional and manufacturing projects themselves. 

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training is challenging in terms of content and time requirement.  A ‘rule of thumb’ for HETAC validated programmes is that one credit is equivalent to approximately 25 ‘learner effort hours’. ‘Learner effort hours’ include training days, time spent at project, time spent studying/reading, learning on the job.

Company Support

For companies embarking on a new Lean Six Sigma deployment, a 1 day ‘Introduction to Lean Six Sigma’ and a 2 day ‘Lean Six Sigma Champion’ training is available for company personnel, as required.

Lean Six Sigma Practitioner Support

If you are undergoing/have completed a Green or Black Belt Lean Six Sigma course with SQT you can access our Lean Six Sigma Practitioner Support site which will provide you with access to a large archive of Lean Six Sigma support materials.  Through the Lean Six Sigma Practitioner Support site we aim to provide on-going support to those we have trained as Six Sigma professionals by providing access to lots of useful information, reference material, course notes, and tools & techniques that will help to build on the Six Sigma knowledge you have already acquired.

Lean Six Sigma Network

Lean Six Sigma Practitioners will be invited to join the Lean Six Sigma Network where they will receive ongoing support and development in their role as a Lean Six Sigma leader and practitioner, as well as network with other companies rolling out Lean Six Sigma initiatives. Meetings are held quarterly.

Course Accreditation/Assessment

This course is validated by HETAC (the Higher Education and Training Awards Council) at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.  Successful delegates will receive a Special Purpose Award, Certificate in Process Engineering (10 Credits).

Assessment is based on:

1. Written Examination (40%)
2. Written Case Study Report (60%)

Comprehensive guidelines will be given during the course to all delegates. The delegate has up to 10 weeks following training to complete their Case Study. 

Awards made by HETAC are on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).The NFQ provides a way to compare qualifications, and to ensure that they are quality assured and recognised at home and abroad. Qualifications (awards) in the NFQ are recognised in Ireland and abroad.

This programme can be used as a basis for applying for ASQ (American Society for Quality) certification.  Delegates can sit the ASQ Green Belt certification examination. Some further self-study will be required. ASQ certification is a formal recognition by ASQ that an individual has demonstrated a proficiency within, and comprehension of, a specific body of knowledge. 

Progression

Delegates who have completed a Level 6 Lean Six Sigma programme can progress onto Level 7. There will be a time limit of 12 months from completion of Level 6 training to submitting a project for a level 7 award. An upgrade fee will be applicable. If a longer time elapses, the delegate will need to attend refresher training and then submit their Level 7 project.  

Course Tutor

ASST

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Course Times

9.00am - 5.00pm

Public Course Cost

€1,995 (includes course documentation, lunch and refreshments)

In-House Courses

For In-House courses, the tutor will contact you in advance to discuss the course programme in more detail in order to tailor it specifically for your organisation.

Course Manual

Delegates will receive a very comprehensive course manual.