Course Code: GES215
I. Six Sigma Introduction
A. Definition of Six Sigma & Its Relation to Costs and Efficiencies
B. Popularity and Application of Six Sigma
C. Comparisons Between Typical TQM and Six Sigma Programs
II. How to Deploy Six Sigma
A. Leadership Responsibilities
B. Resource Allocation
C. Data-driven Decision Making
D. Organizational Metrics and Dashboards
III. Six Sigma Projects
A. Project Focus
B. Project Selection
C. Estimating Project Benefits
D. Overview of DMAIC Methodology
E. Project Reporting
IV. Define Stage Tools & Objectives
A. Define Stage Objectives
B. Project Charter: Use and Development
V. DEFINE: Metrics & Deliverables
A. Critical to Quality (CTQ) Metrics
B. Critical to Schedule (CTS) Metrics
C. Relation of CTQ and CTS Metrics to Critical to Cost (CTC) Metrics
VI. DEFINE: Project Financials
A. Cost of Poor Quality
B. Quantifying Project Benefits
C. CTC Calculations
VII. DEFINE: Project Scheduling
A. Scheduling Project Activities & Events
VIII. DEFINE: Change Management/Teams
A. Problems With Change
B. Achieving Buy-in
C. Team Formation, Rules, and Responsibilities
D. Consensus Building
IX. Measure Stage Tools and Objectives
A. Measure Stage Objectives
B. Process Definition
C. Metric Definition
D. Establishing Process Baseline
E. Control Chart as a Process Baseline Tool
X. MEASURE: Probability & Distributions
A. Probability Rules
B. Distribution Use & Interpretation in MS Excel and Minitab
C. Probability Plots
D. Goodness of Fit Tests
E. Curve Fitting with Johnson Distributions
XI. MEASURE: X-Bar Charts
B. Construction and Calculations
D. Rational Subgroups
E. Sampling Considerations
XII. MEASURE: Individuals Data
A. Uses, Comparison with X-Bar Chart
B. Construction, Calculations, Assumptions, Sampling Considerations and Interpretation
XIII. MEASURE: Process Capability
A. Histograms Use and Misuse
B. Probability Plots
C. Goodness of Fit Tests
D. Capability and Performance Indices
XIV. MEASURE: Attribute Charts
B. Selection (P, U, Np, C Charts)
C. Construction and Calculations
D. Sampling Considerations
XV. MEASURE: Short Run SPC
XVI. MEASURE: Measurement Systems Analysis
A. Stability Studies
B. Linearity Analysis
C. R&R Analysis
XVII. Analyze Stage Tools & Objectives
A. Analyze Stage Objectives
B. Definition of Waste
C. Analyzing Process for NVA
D. Methods to Increase Velocity
XVIII. ANALYZE: Sources of Variation
A. Multi-vari Plots
B. Confidence Intervals on Mean
C. Confidence Intervals on Percent
D. Hypothesis Test on Mean
E. Hypothesis Test on Mean of Two Samples
F. Power and Sample Size
G. Contingency Tables
H. Non-parametric Tests
XIX. ANALYZE: ANOVA
B. Bartlett’s Equality of Variance Test
C. One-Way ANOVA in Excel & Minitab
D. Two-Way ANOVA in Excel & Minitab
E. Multi-Factor ANOVA in Excel & Minitab
XX. ANALYZE: Regression Analysis
A. Cause & Effect Diagrams
B. Scatter Diagrams
C. Linear Regression Model
D. Interpreting the ANOVA Table
E. Confidence and Prediction Limits
F. Residuals Analysis
G. Overview of Multiple Regression Tools including Designed Experiments
XXI. ANALYZE: Multiple Regression
A. Multivariate Models
B. Interaction Plots
C. Interpreting ANOVA Tables
D. Model Considerations
E. Stepwise Regression
F. Residuals Analysis
XXII. ANALYZE: Introduction to Designed Experiments
B. DOE vs. Traditional Experiments
C. DOE vs. Historical Data
D. Design Planning
E. Design Specification
F. Complete Factorials
G. Fractional Factorials
XXIII. ANALYZE: DOE Analysis Fundamentals
A. Estimating Effects and Coefficients
B. Significance Plots
C. Estimating Error
D. Extending Designs
E. Power of Design
F. Lack of Fit
G. Tests for Surface Curvature
XXIV. ANALYZE: Design Selection
A. Desirable Designs
C. Other Design Models
XXV. ANALYZE: Transformations
A. Need for Transformations
B. Non-constant Variance
C. Box-Cox Transforms
D. Calculated Parameters
E. Taguchi Signal to Noise Ratios
XXVI. Improve Stage Tools and Objectives
A. Improve Stage Objectives
B. Tools to Prioritize Improvement Opportunities
C. Tools to Define New Process Flow
D. Tools to Define and Mitigate Failure Modes
E. Reference to Tools for Defining New Process Levels
XXVII. IMPROVE: Response Surface Analysis
C. Sequential Technique
D. Steepest Ascent
XXVIII. IMPROVE: Ridge Analysis
A. Graphical Method
B. Analytical Method
C. Overlaid Contours
D. Desirability Function
XXIX. IMPROVE: Simulations
C. Applying Probabilistic Estimates
XXX. IMPROVE: Evolutionary Operation
C. Risks and Advantages
XXXI. Control Stage Tools & Objectives
A. Control Stage Objectives
B. Methods of Control
C. Control Plans
E. Measuring Improvement
F. Applying Lessons Learned
XXXII. CONTROL: Serial Correlation
B. Estimating Autocorrelation
C. Interpreting Autocorrelation
D. Batch Control Charts
XXXIII. Design for Six Sigma Overview
B. Tools for DFSS
C. System, Parameter, and Tolerance Designs
Paul Keller is a Senior Consultant with Quality America, Inc., where he has worked since 1992. Paul has developed and implemented many successful Six Sigma and quality improvement programs in service and manufacturing environments, including the automotive and aerospace industries. Paul specialized in Quality Engineering in the Master’s Program at the University of Arizona. He has authored and co-authored numerous books, including Six Sigma Demystified and Six Sigma Handbook (New York, McGraw-Hill). He has also written numerous articles for professional trade magazines and conference proceedings.
There are no prerequisites to take this course.
Instructional material requirements:
Instructional material requirements:
When you learn about Six Sigma online with ed2go, you’ll receive a valuable education that will stay with you for a lifetime. The flow of our Black Belt Training Program follows the DMAIC methodology closely. You'll learn the appropriate tools and concepts at each stage of project development.
When students are working in an organization and have access to potential projects sponsored by their management, they are strongly encouraged to develop a project in conjunction with the course. Since software will be used for data analysis, the program material concentrates on the application and use of the tools, rather than on detailed derivation of the statistical methods.
Achieving Six Sigma Black Belt Certification through the International Quality Federation (IQF) is at your discretion and dependent upon you meeting the criteria the IQF sets. Certification is not automatic upon completion of this program or tied to the accredited college or university you registered through.
Black Belt candidates generally have college degrees in industry-related fields, including business, engineering, or sciences. They are comfortable using mathematics, are experienced problem solvers, have college-level reading comprehension skills, and are proficient in using Windows-based computer software, including Microsoft Office and general statistical software packages. This program is for you if you have the appropriate prerequisites and the desire to lead teams using the DMAIC methodology and advanced statistical tools. After completing this program, you will be eligible to work toward the International Quality Federation (IQF) certification, which is a Six Sigma industry standard certification. The IQF certification does not come through your accredited college or university; it is something you will need to work toward on your own. You will have the option to sit for the IQF certification exam at the end of your program without additional charge. A study guide for the IQF exam is included in your program registration materials, and the program itself prepares you for much of the knowledge you need for the IQF certification exam.
Exam Note: The use of the Black Belt XL software provided with the course is optional, and not strictly required for successful completion. The Black Belt XL software is installed as an add-on to MS Excel (versions 2010 and later) running in MS Windows and is not compatible with Mac computers. Students may procure other software to analyze data provided within the Excel files to achieve similar results.
The International Quality Federation (IQF)
The International Quality Federation (IQF) is dedicated to educating and assisting quality professionals. It offers books, discussion forums, and certifications, as well as publishing a journal to keep its members up-to-date on the latest quality developments. The IQF oversees and administers Green Belt, Black Belt, and Master Black Belt Six Sigma certifications, which are recognized around the world as demonstrating a commitment to quality. You know you’re getting the best when you take a course certified by IQF.
I liked the ability to set my own pace and work within my schedule. This was most important to me. There were times when I needed to take a break and return to previous courses for a refresher and this course structure allowed me to do that. When I needed support, it was prompt and courteous."
This course was very flexible to my work hours as well as my lifestyle. I had to stop for my parent's illness and care in addition to starting a new job with a company that has sent me to Germany for three trips. However, I was granted an extension while in Germany away from normal life and it's distractions, was able to finish course. I highly recommend this course to anyone. It was real challenging and expanded my understanding as well as my ability to lead and implement change."
This was a comprehensive, educational experience. It has given me in-depth knowledge of Six Sigma for professional advancement in my career. The professional team behind the course content made learning a great experience."
I liked how I could work at my own pace. I needed to extend the program because I just started a new job and you easily offered to extend my program."
The course information was good and worked well for learning the system. There were a variety of examples of real world uses for this information and most were generic enough to adapt to our needs."
It was great viewing the modules, which highlighted all the reading material. The instructor was supportive in reaching out to me to see if I had any questions."
Yes, since ed2go programs are online, you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration.
|This program is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start and finish at your own pace. Upon registering, you're given six (6) months to complete this program.|
ed2go programs are non-credit programs, so they don't qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehabilitation or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our programs.
The program itself doesn't provide a project. Since some students don't have access to suitable projects, projects aren't required for this program. However, if you're working in an organization and have access to potential projects, you're strongly encouraged to develop a project in conjunction with the program.
Upon completing this program, you'll receive a program completion certificate from your accredited college or university. In addition, after completing this program, you'll be eligible to work toward the International Quality Federation (IQF) certification, which is a Six Sigma industry standard certification. The IQF certification does not come through your accredited college or university; it is something you will need to work toward on your own. You will have the option to sit for the IQF certification exam at the end of your program. The cost of this certification exam is included in the cost of the program.
A study guide for the IQF exam is included in your program registration materials, and the program itself prepares you for much of the knowledge you need for the IQF certification exam.
IQF lets you work toward certification with projects that you complete on your own or certification without projects, which is a good option if you don't have access to related projects in your current job.
ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We don’t provide direct job placement services, but our facilitators and career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Facilitators will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us via LIVE CHAT or by calling us at (855) 520-6806. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the Contact Us form.
This program is open enrollment. You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready.
Please note: Once the program curriculum is accessed online or through submission of a material shipment confirmation, refunds cannot be issued.
The IQF certification exam was developed by a group of Six Sigma professionals to address the flaws in some other certification exams that are available. Paul Keller, this program's instructor, has selected the IQF certification exam based on its fundamental superiority in assessing the technical skills of qualified applicants.
The time allotted to complete your program has been calculated based on the number of course hours. If after a concerted effort, you are still unable to complete your program on time, your Student Advisor will help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that a fee may be charged for an extension.
The amount of time it takes to become a certified Six Sigma Black Belt will vary by candidate. For the International Quality Federation certification, you will need to take the exam; a thorough exam prep course such as this one, which takes up to six months, is highly recommended. Once you’ve passed the exam, you’ll complete two projects to earn your official certification, and the time to complete these projects varies.