Importance of Six Sigma Certification

Six Sigma is a management strategy that is widely used in many industries. It is used to improve quality and reduce costs by identifying and removing the causes of defects. Although there is no single governing body for certifying six sigma but most Six Sigma certification programs comprise of a set accepted practices and provide certification of six sigma methodologies.

Why Six Sigma certification?

Six Sigma certification plays an important role in one’s professional life. Many companies consider it as a strong credential of candidates applying for a job. Many times it is implemented across whole company and many times it is required to get a promotion or to get increment. This is because this certification has a great value and ensures one’s capabilities with respect to specific set of abilities.

Basis of Six Sigma Certification:

Six Sigma certification comprise of a number of training sessions that includes relevant subject matter, written proficiency test and showing competency in the real world problems. Since there is no standard certification course available so the specifics of certification vary from company to company.

Once the training session is complete then based on the company’s criteria, one or two projects may be required in which trainee shows his competency in the concepts learned. This is the phase where most companies define their own criteria of pass/fail and the number of projects required.

Where to get Six Sigma Certification?

There is no single governing body that conducts Six Sigma certification and hence there are many training institutions and companies that offer onsite, online or both types of certifications. Similarly a number of consultancy companies offer it as an add on service. With so many options, it becomes difficult to choose the right place from where one can get certified.

One should do proper survey and carefully evaluate the training provider. Below things should be kept in mind before choosing the right Six Sigma certification program for you:

• Reputation: Make sure that the institution you choose has good reputation in the market. Ask people about them and check on internet for reviews. It is recommended to go for a provider that your employer recommends or that other large companies use for their Six Sigma certification.
• Training Methods: Carefully check the training method employed by the provider. Ensure that they offer quality training methods. Know the timings and make sure your job does not suffer from the schedule of classes.
• Curriculum: Due to lack of standardization, the curriculum for Six Sigma certification varies from one provider to another. Compare the curriculum of different providers properly and choose the provider that offers best.

Value of Six Sigma Certification:

The value of Six Sigma Certification depends on the reputation of training provider. For example, if you get certified from a renowned Six Sigma business like Motorola, Allied Signal or GE then your certification will have more value. Companies that are new to this business do have value but not that much. Similarly getting certified from a second tier consultancy company has much lesser value. Finally, getting trained without certification has no value at all. Based on the training provider, you may be required to re-certify in order to show your competencies.