| Six Sigma Black Belts act as change agents. They are | | | | and even be the initiators of changes in the existing |
| looked upon as prospective leadership material in | | | | system. They should also be able to achieve positive |
| areas other than Six Sigma also. They are | | | | changes while countering resistance to change. |
| knowledgeable and skilled in the use of Six Sigma tools | | | | Black Belts are looked up to as business leaders. They |
| and methods. | | | | should be able to display their ability to link Six Sigma |
| When you are selecting Six Sigma Black Belt | | | | projects to business growth. Black Belts also need to |
| candidates, you need to look broadly at some of the | | | | be able to manage Six Sigma projects from initial |
| attributes like the personal attributes of the candidate, | | | | scope, requirements, and resources to variance |
| Six Sigma training, technical ability, experience and | | | | viewpoints. Knowledge of project management |
| aptitude. | | | | fundamentals coming form experience is relevant. |
| Black Belts will typically have undergone four weeks of | | | | They also have to be result driven. If Black Belts have |
| Six Sigma training and achieved proficiency in the | | | | experience in diverse fields, they will be able to |
| subject matter. | | | | appreciate most of the features of the project. |
| Customer Promotion | | | | Good Communicators |
| Black Belts should be able to realize the importance of | | | | The most important quality of Black Belts is being |
| the customer to the success of the Six Sigma project | | | | effective communicators, as they are often in the role |
| and the growth of the organization as well, because | | | | of trainer, coach, mentor and change agent. They are |
| the customers are the final word on the product and | | | | also an important link between the line employees and |
| its quality. | | | | executive management; and as such, they should have |
| They should be able to understand that the CTQs and | | | | the skills to adapt themselves according to the target |
| customer needs are important for process | | | | audience. |
| improvement. They should be able to appreciate the | | | | Six Sigma Black Belts should be able to express their |
| elimination of the process variations for business | | | | ideas with the help of visual aids and they should |
| improvement. In-depth knowledge of the process is | | | | equally be attentive to feedback from others. They |
| also necessary. | | | | should be able to motivate others to improve their skills, |
| Personal Attributes | | | | which is beneficial for each individual and the project |
| The most important quality of a Black Belt is being able | | | | as well. |
| to motivate others on the fundamentals of Six Sigma | | | | Technical Aptitude |
| projects. They should be self-motivated, with a positive | | | | Though it is not necessary to have an engineering or |
| personality. Sometimes they will need to show | | | | statistical background, it is better to have at least some |
| readiness for initiating a project, as well as showing the | | | | basic knowledge in these areas, because they are |
| drive to continue even in the face of adversities. | | | | required to collect, analyze and determine the relevant |
| Even if Black Belts are not in management positions, | | | | data for further process improvement. |
| they should be able to inspire the Six Sigma team to | | | | It is better if Black Belt candidates have some |
| accomplish their tasks on time. They should also be | | | | knowledge about computers, as they will be working |
| able to present complex ideas and theories in a simple, | | | | on worksheets, databases, presentation tools and so |
| understandable manner. | | | | on. They should also be able to pick up technical |
| They should enjoy doing their job as team leader as | | | | subject quickly. |
| well as team member. | | | | These qualities will typically make for good Black Belts |
| Leadership Qualities | | | | - and will lead to the success of Six Sigma |
| Six Sigma Black Belts are also called 'change agents'. | | | | implementation in any company. |
| They should be able to accomplish business changes | | | | |