Online Class: Introduction to Six Sigma

Embrace the Six Sigma philosophy with this course, which provides a transformative journey through the principles of reducing variability and aligning projects with business strategies for superior outcomes. Participants will be empowered to optimize resources, understand customer needs, and utilize data-driven models to implement sustainable improvements.
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  • 15
    Lessons
  • 35
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 2,610
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 9
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.9
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Mastery of Six Sigma Principles

Six Sigma stands tall as a robust methodology, central to ensuring projects achieve their pinnacle of success. Rooted in principles that champion excellence, Six Sigma is built on a rich tapestry of time-tested best business practices. The ultimate aspiration of this approach? Crafting an operational milieu that is almost devoid of errors.

The intriguing moniker 'Six Sigma' derives from the Greek letter sigma, traditionally employed by mathematicians to gauge variability. Translating this to the business arena, variability becomes a yardstick for assessing errors within processes. Striving for perfection, Six Sigma aims to achieve an outstanding rate of fewer than 3.4 glitches for every million transactions, where a transaction can be visualized as a tangible product manufactured or a service executed.

The success story of Six Sigma lies in its evolutionary nature. By eliminating the redundancy inherent in preceding business methodologies, it has ascended to an esteemed pedestal, revered as a top-tier project management system. Prestigious global corporations vouch for Six Sigma's principles, driven by a contemporary business landscape where consumers are no longer content with mediocrity. They demand unparalleled excellence, compelling enterprises to raise their game in a market teeming with rivals.

Our course is a comprehensive tapestry, intricately weaving the core aspects of Six Sigma, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to don the prestigious mantle of a 'Black Belt'—an esteemed Six Sigma team player.

Detailed Course Outline

  1. History of Six Sigma: Delve deep into the origins of this methodology. Understand how it has evolved over the years, drawing examples from pioneering companies that adopted and benefitted from it.

  2. Implementing Six Sigma: Gain insights into the practical aspects of embedding Six Sigma principles into a business framework, spotlighting real-world success stories.

  3. Becoming a Customer and Market-Driven Enterprise: Understand the pivotal role of customers. Learn strategies that pivot businesses around market demands, underpinned by illustrative case studies.

  4. Customer Expectations and Needs: Dive into the psyche of the modern consumer. Decode their aspirations, needs, and expectations to tailor products and services that resonate.

  5. Linking Six Sigma Projects to Strategies: Harness the power of strategic alignment. Explore how Six Sigma projects can be seamlessly integrated with overarching business strategies.

  6. Attributes of Good Metrics: Metrics are the compass guiding businesses. Discover the characteristics of effective metrics that facilitate informed decision-making.

  7. Using Resources Wisely: Master the art of resource optimization. Learn how to allocate and utilize resources efficiently, maximizing ROI.

  8. Project Management Using the DMAIC and DMADV Models: Grasp these core Six Sigma models. Understand their nuances and applications, enriched by engaging case studies.

9-11. Define, Measure, and Analysis Phases: These modules dissect the first three phases of the DMAIC model. From defining problems to measuring metrics and analyzing data, understand the intricate steps that drive project success.

12-13. Analyzing Data Modules: Comprehend the art of data analysis. Whether it's streamlining value streams or experimenting with designs, these lessons emphasize data-driven decision-making.

14-15. Improve and Control Phases: The culmination of the DMAIC model. Learn how to implement improvements and establish controls to maintain those enhancements.

Why This Course?

Six Sigma, with its potent blend of analytics, strategies, and customer-centricity, is not just a methodology—it's a philosophy. In a world where competition is fierce, and customer loyalty is gold, embracing Six Sigma can be a game-changer.

Our course is not a mere academic exercise; it's a journey. A journey filled with insights, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises. By its conclusion, you'll not only comprehend the theoretical nuances of Six Sigma but be adept at applying them in real-world scenarios.

In a marketplace that rewards excellence, equip yourself with the tools to not just survive, but thrive. Dive into the world of Six Sigma with us, and chart a course to unparalleled professional success.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.4 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(1,482 votes)

  • Lesson 1. The Rise of Six Sigma Methodology

    Derived from the Greek letter for variability measurement, Six Sigma focuses on minimizing defects in business processes by defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling systems. Its adoption leads to significant improvements in quality and efficiency, making it highly valued by companies and customers alike.

  • Lesson 2. Effective Six Sigma: Key Components in Deployment

    Success in Six Sigma relies on effective leadership, stakeholder engagement, and aligning projects with company goals, requiring adaptable infrastructure and organizational change. Teams composed of trained Black Belts aim to reduce errors and enhance efficiency, with senior management championing the initiative and ensuring alignment with long-term strategic vision.

  • Lesson 3. Feedback as Fuel: Harnessing Customer Input for Growth

    Six Sigma underscores the importance of enhancing customer value, defining it as what customers are willing to pay or seek, and anything beyond this is waste. Companies should leverage customer feedback and data to improve value propositions, enabling rapid response to feedback and fostering growth through alignment with market needs.

  • Lesson 4. Listening to the Customers' Voice in Product Development

    Consumers shape markets by voicing their views, yet most are unaware of early tech developments, necessitating businesses to prioritize listening and adapting to meet evolving expectations using tools like the Kano Model. While Six Sigma focuses on defect reduction, achieving true customer satisfaction requires exceeding basic quality through innovative features.

  • Lesson 5. Crafting Unified Strategies with Six Sigma

    Six Sigma project success largely depends on preventing scope creep by adhering to a Strategy Deployment Matrix that confines project focus to high-priority corporate strategies. This structured method allocates resources efficiently while ensuring that project goals stay aligned with shareholder expectations.

  • Lesson 6. Data-Driven Decision Making: Keys to Six Sigma Success

    A company's success hinges on adopting data-driven management and setting metrics that align with customer experiences, strategic goals, and informed decision-making. Developing a balanced scorecard with metrics across various areas ensures progress while maintaining equilibrium between customer satisfaction, financial health, and internal growth.

  • Lesson 7. Project Selection Strategies: Maximizing Six Sigma Success

    Projects in Six Sigma focus on increasing customer value or shareholder gains, leading to innovations and organizational breakthroughs. Senior leaders select top-priority projects based on strategic goals, while using analytical methods to evaluate potential benefits and align with organizational aspirations.

  • Lesson 8. Efficient Project Management for Business Transformation

    Projects within the Six Sigma framework are defined by clear objectives, legitimacy, and careful planning, aiming for effective transformation without conflicts or blame within teams. The focus on root causes and precise deliverables enhances the likelihood of successful improvements in service or product offerings.

  • Lesson 9. Laying the Foundation: Crafting Project Charters and Teams in Six Sigma

    Understanding fixed versus variable costs is critical for project financial analysis, influencing decisions about cost-effectiveness and justifying project investments. Calculating the breakeven point allows management to evaluate the financial feasibility of Six Sigma projects by aligning production costs with expected revenue.

  • Lesson 10. SIPOC Diagrams: High-Level Mapping for Process Clarity

    The Measure Phase emphasizes defining processes using metrics, providing a foundation for data-driven improvements within the Six Sigma framework. By establishing baselines, the phase facilitates the comparison of pre- and post-improvement states, allowing precise measurement of advancements.

  • Lesson 11. Ensuring Measurement Accuracy: A Deep Dive into Six Sigma's Statistical Techniques

    Measurement System Analysis and statistical comprehension are the backbone of data accuracy in Six Sigma, enabling sound process improvements. By employing appropriate sampling and validating variables, projects achieve predictive reliability and minimize error margins effectively.

  • Lesson 12. Tackling Variations in Data for Effective Analysis

    Six Sigma's Analysis phase is crucial for examining and refining processes through Value Stream and Variation Analysis, where waste elimination and handling of unexpected data variations support more efficient workflows. Regression and Correlation Analysis provide additional insights into variable relationships, ensuring improved predictability and reduced errors.

  • Lesson 13. Efficient Data Analysis through Designed Experiments

    The complexity of designed experiments lies in their ability to manipulate multiple variables and discern the interactions among them, setting them apart from traditional single-variable experiments. These experiments enhance data analysis by addressing potential errors and optimizing resource utilization.

  • Lesson 14. Prioritizing Impact for Effective Improvements

    Lean techniques aim to eliminate waste by focusing on customer value rather than mass production, using methods like constraint management and pull systems to adapt swiftly to customer needs. Empirical models, using Six Sigma’s phases, utilize statistical and designed experiments to identify optimal changes, applying these insights to improve systems effectively.

  • Lesson 15. Ensuring Sustainable Six Sigma Success: The Control Phase Explained

    Process Control Planning ensures that the new system remains effective and improvements are permanent by focusing on process measurements rather than merely product outcomes. Supporting changes might involve updating policies, budgets, and training while audits help monitor and sustain these improvements over time.
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Analyze a business scenario to identify potential inefficiencies and demonstrate how applying Six Sigma principles can optimize processes and enhance customer value.
  • Define the DMAIC model and explain how each phase contributes to reducing process variability and improving product quality.
  • Define the role and responsibilities of a Black Belt in Six Sigma project implementation, focusing on skills and communication.
  • Explain the importance of effective leadership and visioning in aligning Six Sigma projects with company goals and creating a conducive environment for change.
  • Define the concept of customer value within the Six Sigma framework and its importance in eliminating waste by the end of the lesson.
  • Demonstrate the process of transitioning to a customer-driven enterprise by analyzing case studies of companies that implemented Six Sigma strategies by the end of the course.
  • Define the relationship between customer expectations and satisfaction using the Kano Model.
  • Evaluate how Six Sigma and Quality Function Deployment processes integrate customer feedback into product design and improvement.
  • Analyze how a Strategy Deployment Matrix can align Six Sigma projects with senior management's goals to minimize scope creep and improve project success.
  • Demonstrate the creation of a Strategy Deployment Matrix by identifying and weighing the relationship between company strategies and metrics.
  • Define and categorize metrics for Six Sigma projects based on customer focus, relevance, and trends analysis.
  • Develop specific performance goals and indicators aligned with company objectives and measure progress using balanced scorecard methodology.
  • Define the key criteria for selecting high-impact Six Sigma projects to align with organizational goals.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Introduction to Six Sigma
Course Number: 7550470
Lessons Rating: 4.4 / 5 Stars (1,482 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: With online access available nationwide, this course reaches all U.S. states, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. Additionally, it’s open to learners in English-speaking countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Last Updated: February 2024
CEU Value: 0.9 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Classes
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Linda Zavadil
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "The course was extremely helpful to jump-start my understanding of Six Sigma methodologies; the writing assignments were a great tools to synthesize the readings content. The extra readings added needed peripheries and helped me appreciate the breadth of the six Sigma applications and the flexibility of the system." -- Houssam E.
  • "I learned a lot from this course and found it to be very helpful. I liked that the course materials could be printed and that the videos were captioned so the course was very accessible." -- Audrey C.
  • "Excellent course. Great instructor." -- Shelly B.

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