“I would like to become a Black Belt and have already done quite a bit with Lean. What is the shortest route for me?” And: “Is the step to Black Belt good for my career?” I often get those questions from my network. Usually I invite people for a coffee, and we look together at their background, what they already know and which courses they have taken. In this article I list the main considerations.
Which route suits you?
There are several routes to Black Belt, as shown in the image at the top of this article. The full Black Belt course requires no prior training: you start with a Green Belt part and then continue with the Green Belt to Black Belt. Depending on the route, that takes 13 to 15 days:
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (15 days): the 7-day Green Belt course, followed by the Green Belt to Black Belt.
- Lean Agile Black Belt (14 days): the 6-day Lean Agile Green Belt, followed by the Green Belt to Black Belt.
- Black Belt Bootcamp (13 days): the 5-day Green Belt Bootcamp, followed by the Green Belt to Black Belt.
Have you completed your Green Belt and gained experience as a project leader? Then join the Green Belt to Black Belt directly. Have you worked a lot with Lean, but don’t have a full Green Belt yet? Then ask for a conversation: people further along in their careers have often worked with Lean already, and it is a shame to start right at the beginning.
From Green Belt to Black Belt
In the Green Belt you learn to lead an improvement project using the steps of DMAIC, from problem to cause to solution. As a Black Belt you go further, as shown below: you tackle more complex challenges, coach Green Belts and help an organisation organise improvement more widely.
The Green Belt to Black Belt consists of four blocks:
- Policy Deployment: establishing Lean in an organisation, from vision to result.
- Advanced Lean: deepening the Lean knowledge from the Green Belt.
- Advanced Six Sigma or Agile & Scrum: advanced statistics at Black Belt level, or Agile and Scrum in the Lean Agile route.
- Coaching Green Belts and integration: coaching, the change side, and exam preparation.
Between blocks you work on assignments in your own organisation. For the full Black Belt certificate you also pass the theory exam and complete two practical assignments. Read more in the practical assignment for Black Belt certification.
Why become a Black Belt?
- Your career. Black Belt knowledge and experience enrich your CV. Lean Six Sigma appeals to almost every organisation, and experience with it is a plus for employers. What it can earn you is covered in Black Belt salary.
- Solving more complex problems. With advanced statistics and Lean you tackle challenges where the Green Belt tools fall short.
- Helping others grow. As a Black Belt you coach Green Belts and help sponsors in their role. Read more in the role of the Black Belt in four chapters.
- In every sector. Lean Six Sigma works in healthcare and banking, in industry and government, in logistics and services.
- Towards leadership. Those who organise improvement more widely work closely with management, and often grow into leadership or strategic roles.
Not sure whether the Black Belt is for you, or which route suits you? Contact us and we will look together at what works for you.