Saurabh Dhaked

The Proficiency of Six Sigma Levels:
The very purpose of Six Sigma in this real world is built a culture of Continuous Improvement and different levels of six sigma cater all such requirements by defining clearly roles & responsibility at each level which differentiated by belt level. Proficiency of Six Sigma Levels – Hierarchy Pyramid as follows:

These levels are as follows:
Six Sigma Master Black Belt Six Sigma Black Belt  Six Sigma Green Belt Six Sigma Yellow Belt  
Note: Champion in this hierarchy pyramid is at the top and Six Sigma White Belt (at the bottom) is the basic tenets of 6σ philosophy.
 
Roles of Six Sigma Levels:
1.       Six Sigma Yellow Belt:
This level is considered as foundation level of 6σ methodology and its place at the bottom of the hierarchy pyramid and just above to White Belt. Basic understanding of tools & stats are addressed through imparting of various Modules like:
Ø  Basic Statistics
Ø  07 QC tools
Ø  Sometime, Advanced QC tools
Ø  Brief about Lean & its tools
Ø  RCA, Why-Why, Kaizen etc.
Major Roles:
Ø  Participate in Improvement projects as member
Ø  Using of Problem Solving Tools & Techniques   
Ø  General Purpose Control
Ø  Support to Green/Black Belt in Projects
Ø  Assist in Data-COPAI(Collection, Organisation, Presentation, Analysis, Improvement)
Ø  Root Cause Analysis
Example:
Suppose, we want to increase sales of Pizza for an outlet. Team has taken that challenge and initiated Six Sigma Black Belt Project.
Hence, Primary role of YB candidate is to COPAI (Collection, Organisation, Presentation, Analysis, Improvement) by using various tools and techniques like Checksheet, Brainstorming, Fishbone diagram, Scatter plot, Control charts, Graphs etc to draw meaningful information and assist Green Belt candidate(who is also the part of same project). Example as follows:
Pareto Analysis : Slices of Pizza vs Order Frequency

 
 
2.      Six Sigma Green Belt:
Once you are YB certified, you are eligible to up your level as Six Sigma Green Belt. GB candidates are closely associated in Six Sigma project and work under supervision of Black belt certified person. Having said that, their level is higher than YB hence they are well equipped with advanced level of statistical tools and gone through proper DMAIC methodology training.
 
Major Roles:
Ø  Compile all information and analysis by YB candidate
Ø   Support to BB in Business Impact Project
Ø  Using of DMAIC Cycle and its presentation
Ø  Using of Advanced level of Statistics tools like Hypothesis, MSA etc.
Ø  Individual GB Project as Lead
Ø  Lean advanced tools like VSM etc.
 
Example:
Continuing the same example as above – Pizza Sales
We can check whether sales: Is there any association between gender or not.
Hence, GB candidate wants to test this hypothesis by selecting appropriate hypothesis test. In this case, he selected Chi Square test and will check p-value and draw inferences.

 
3.       Six Sigma Black Belt:
This is most valuable certification in the hierarchy pyramid and typical business impact project is driven by Six Sigma black Belt certified candidate. 
In this program, BB candidate is equipped by well versed and highly advanced statistical tools and using of Minitab. Leader of teams implementing the six sigma methodology on projects.
 
 Major Roles:
Ø  Highly advanced Statistical Tools & Techniques well versed
Ø  Ability in Design Thinking
Ø  Support to GB projects and leads
Ø  Assist to MBB
Ø  Using of Statistical Software i.e. Minitab
Ø  Imparting Training to YB & GB Candidates
Ø  Help to identify Business Pain Area and GB Projects
Example:
In the same Pizza sales example: Pizza taste & Sizes are one of the significant factors. Now as Black Belt – Many factors are changed simultaneously from one run to another run and the resulting change in response is studied using statistical techniques, Hence BB will go of DOE (Design of Experiment) to determine the optimal settings of the factors to minimize/target/maximize an output.
 
4.       Six Sigma Master Black Belt:
The MBB is responsible for translating the high level business goals into a Six Sigma strategy for the division and the associate functions. He works with the deployment leader to achieve the former. They also lead the development of the Six Sigma skills in the organization, for Black Belts, Green Belts, and the general associate base.
MBB’s are responsible, together, for the success of the overall Division’s Six Sigma effort. They coordinate and lead activity on key cross-division value streams (e.g. Customer Service, Cycle Time, Research, etc). They also ensure that a culture that values openness, creativity and challenging the status quo develops in the organization.

Major Roles:
Ø  Six sigma strategy and roll-out plan in the organization/function
Ø  Manage Project of the function
Ø  Mentor Teams
Ø  Achieve Lean Six Sigma Results
Ø  Cross-Functional Leadership
Ø  Project Execution and Removing Roadblocks
 
Example:
In same example – Pizza Sales: MBB will seek the approval from Top management for the DOE Trail and associate cost. Likewise many more assistance to Top management as well as mentoring to BB.