| Six Sigma is a methodology first developed by | | | | standards are maintained. |
| Motorola in the 1980s to identify and eliminate defects | | | | Black Belts: Black Six certified Six Sigma professionals |
| in their manufacturing processes. The methodology is | | | | are people for the execution of the Six Sigma |
| now widely applied in many Fortune 500 and other | | | | projects. A Black Belt needs to have mastery of Six |
| smaller companies to eradicate errors and streamline | | | | Sigma tools and practices. Black belt trainings are |
| production or business processes. The terms involved | | | | available through numerous on-site and online |
| in the Six Sigma methodology are often misleading for | | | | organizations. A Black Belt generally acts as a team |
| the lay person and lead to confusion. To make things | | | | leader in a project where Six Sigma is being |
| easier for those who are navigating the Six Sigma | | | | implemented. |
| path for the first time, here is an introduction to six | | | | Green Belts: Green Belts act as participants in Six |
| sigma terminology: | | | | Sigma full- or part-time. They need to have Green Belt |
| Executive Leadership: This comprises the CEO and | | | | training before they can act in this capacity. They may |
| or the top leadership of the company. The executive | | | | act in a team led by a Black Belt or lead a smaller |
| leadership is responsible for envisaging the Six Sigma | | | | team themselves. |
| vision and its implementation in the company. | | | | Sponsor: The Sponsor is someone who signs off the |
| Champion: The Six Sigma champion is typically a | | | | project and evaluates the outcomes. |
| senior manager who "champions" or leads the | | | | Change Agent: The Change Agent is the person who |
| project's implementation in the organization. The | | | | identifies the need for change and manages and leads |
| champion makes sure that the project is implemented | | | | the implementation. |
| in the correct spirit and has all the necessary | | | | DMAIC: This stands for the five stages or steps of the |
| resources. The champion must have enough faith in | | | | Six sigma process which are as follows: |
| the Six Sigma principles to work to remove | | | | - Define design goals |
| organizational barriers in the path of Six Sigma | | | | - Measure key aspects of the current design |
| implementation. | | | | - Analyze all data and seek out causes of defect |
| Master Black Belt: The Master Black Belt is a person | | | | under investigation |
| who is skilled not only in the principles and concepts of | | | | - Improve or optimize the current process |
| Six Sigma, but keenly understands team dynamics and | | | | - Control the future state processes to ensure that |
| the practical implementation of programs. The Master | | | | any deviations from the target are arrested before |
| Black Belt must be a good trainer as well; as he needs | | | | they lead to defects. |
| to select, train, and mentor black belts within the | | | | DMADV: This refers to the sequence of steps used in |
| organization. They must also see to the selection of | | | | Design for Six Sigma. |
| projects for Six Sigma implantation and ensure that all | | | | |