The Six Sigma program is designed to improve quality and performance, while also cutting costs. When adopted company-wide, Six Sigma can help improve efficiency and boost customer loyalty. And for individuals, Six Sigma can help them make a greater contribution to their companies, while enhancing their value to current and potential employers.

Six Sigma works by identifying and eliminating problems within manufacturing or service. The certification system for works similarly to that of the belt system in martial arts: individuals earn rankings ranging from yellow belt to black belt. Options for Six Sigma education and training for beginners include:

1. In-person Six Sigma training, offered by many universities
2. Online or self-study training
3. Certification in Six Sigma
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider a university-based Six Sigma program

Many colleges and universities offer Six Sigma training programs. With this option, you can be assured that you're receiving instruction from an accredited institution that understands how Six Sigma affects business practices.

I recommend: The University of Notre Dame, through its Mendoza School of Business, offers online Six Sigma training through its Executive Education program. North Carolina State University offers self-study and in-person Six Sigma education.

Receive Six Sigma certification

With so many companies adopting Six Sigma practices, earning certification is becoming more important for both businesses and individuals. Companies can become more competitive, and employees increase their hiring potential.

I recommend: Cornerstone Six Sigma Consulting offers in-person training, self-study programs, e-learning and live webinars for corporations, small businesses and self-employed professionals. Cornerstone offers training for the yellow belt, green belt and black belt levels. Aveta offers self-paced, online training for Six Sigma certification at the yellow belt, green belt and black belt levels.

Learn anywhere, anytime with Six Sigma online training and self-study

Even if you can't attend in-person training, you can still find high-quality Six Sigma training that prepares you for certification at all of the levels. Through online and other self-study Six Sigma programs, you can learn wherever and whenever most convenient--without sacrificing the quality of instruction.

I recommend: Learn Six Sigma from Motorola, the company that developed it, through its online Motorola University. Motorola University offers both beginning courses such as "Six Sigma e-Foundations" and more advanced courses like "Six Sigma e-Green Belt." Villanova University offers web-based Six Sigma training in both basic Six Sigma principles, and specific areas, such as Six Sigma for healthcare, financial services or information technology.

If you're in manufacturing, opt for Lean Six Sigma certification

Lean Six Sigma training combines lean manufacturing techniques and Six Sigma principles to improve everything from customer service to quality to cost. If you run a manufacturing company, you may want to train your entire staff in Lean Six Sigma, to ensure company-wide improvement and growth.

I recommend: The Lean Six Sigma Academy offers free online Six Sigma and lean manufacturing articles. Smarter Solutions uses training, consulting and coaching to help companies learn and implement Lean Six Sigma techniques. Smarter Solutions uses "Executive Overviews," a series of presentations and workshops, along with Six Sigma certification training and e-Learning.

Pursue Six Sigma education and training to increase your profits by eliminating variability, defects and waste that can undermine your customers' loyalty. Through your Six Sigma program you will learn how to improve the capability of your business processes, increase your performance and decrease your process variations.

By utilizing your Six Sigma training, you will notice defect reduction and improvement in your profits, your employee morale and the quality of your product.

To determine what Six Sigma training is right for you:

1. Determine the level to which you want to pursue your Six Sigma training. You can casually seek information, or seek certification.

2. Identify your budget for Six Sigma training. Invest in 6 Sigma certification programs of study, or stick to a leaner budget and free online offerings.

3. With any learning opportunity, determine how much time you can allot to your training. Most of the programs are offered online and can be worked around your schedule. You will have to fit them in, however, for your training to be cost-effective and successful.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for accredited six sigma education programs

Pursue your six sigma education through an accredited university or organization.

I recommend: Check out the Six Sigma courses offered by Carnegie Mellon University. Find yellow belt, green belt and black belt certification through the self-paced Six Sigma training program offered through Aveta. Enroll in the Six Sigma Executive Education course of study through the Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business. Look at the Six Sigma learning opportunities offered by NC State University.

Find free Six Sigma education and training materials

You can easily find free Six Sigma information online. From free trials to information to tutorials, there is a wealth of information to be found.

I recommend: Download and test drive JMP 7 free for 30 days from JMP, a business division of SAS. Take the free Six Sigma online training modules from Motorola. Find free Six Sigma online tutorials from Six Sigma Tutorial. You can also download free eBooks in a pdf format.

Take a Six Sigma certification program

Pursue a Six Sigma certification program to obtain your 'belt.'

I recommend: Take a Six Sigma belt certification practice test from iSixSigma. There you can also find a plenitude of free Six Sigma training information. Consider the Six Sigma Certification Course from Kaplan Continuing Education. Earn Six Sigma Certification in eight weeks from Villanova University. Become an expert through Cornerstone Six Sigma Consulting's Six Sigma black belt certification and training program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pursuing Six Sigma education can be a career stepping stone that is vital to your upward movement. If you are interested in Six Sigma training, invest in a Six Sigma certification so that you have an end result to show employers.