We’re sometimes asked – what sort of things should a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt know how to do – it’s a great question because there is A LOT of variation in the training available out there.
Not all Lean Six Sigma Green Belt courses were created equal.
During any training or learning, you’ll be taught things that you may not use frequently or aren’t relevant. For example, you might have learnt and subsequently forgot some of the key thinker’s names and background – I mean, it is important to your ability as a Green Belt to know all about the background of Taiichi Ohno or William Edwards Deming?
Or perhaps you learnt about a Pugh Matrix but never used it so now you’ve forgotten how to use one? Does the fact you’ve forgotten how to use this technique make you a less valuable or experienced Lean Six Sigma Green Belt?
We think not.
However, here are is minimum list of skills we think that a good Lean Six Sigma Green Belt should have – here they are in no particular order of importance:
Our training uses active learning simulations (with Lego for extra awesomeness!) as well as group and individual exercises to embed the learning of all the above. We practice using these tools and techniques, so you’re not just left with the theory without a practical understanding of how to use it. We also ensure that you use as many of these tools and technique as appropriate when you complete your projects – further embedding the learning and practicing.
Is there anything you don’t need to know?
Yes – Japanese terms for all the above! Does a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt need to be able to recite (and spell!) all the Japanese terms? Well, if you’re Japanese, then probably. For everyone else, nope. I can never remember what the 5 original Japanese words are for 5S. But I can implement 5S in an organisation blindfolded. Well, maybe not blindfolded. Wearing an eye-patch maybe. You get the idea.
In fact, we find the Japanese terms have a habit of making the work exclusive to people who know the terms – and that’s the last thing you want from improvement projects. You want to make the work inclusive, not exclusive. So use the language of your people!