A common certification in all industries today is Six Sigma, which can be achieved by passing the detailed Six Sigma Exam. This business management strategy focuses on the improvement of the quality of processes by eliminating causes of errors or any type of unpredictably primarily in manufacturing but can be extended into business. There are multiple quality and statistical methods within the process. Each Six Sigma project follows specific steps and includes cost reduction or profit increase.
The Six Sigma hierarchy includes master black belts, who are the masters of Six Sigma and have completed the maximum amount of training, black belts that have less experience but still lead projects and green belts that support the black belts. The criteria for certification varies depending on the level an individual is attempting to obtain. Obviously the higher the level, the more projects and training are required. Every level requires the candidate to take a Six Sigma exam.
Once the candidate has completed their training, they must apply for certification. This can be completed by submitting all qualifying work history with supporting documentation as well as the correct fee for the exam. The next step is to register for the exam at a local ASQ (American Society for Quality) chapter. The certification exam is only offered twice a year; in March and October so proper planning is a must. Once registered, it is necessary to prepare for the exam. There are many resources available on the internet for preparation. These include, practice tests, reference materials, sample tests, and numerous books. The most effective method to prepare for the certification exam is to review the Body of Knowledge. This will help the candidate discover what areas they need to review.
Every candidate is required to pass a written exam consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions that will quantify comprehension of the Body of Knowledge portion of training. The exam is only offered in the English language and consists of one section which the candidate has up to four hours to complete. The content of the exam are subject areas from the Body of Knowledge, which is how the questions are formulated. Each individual exam draws only a portion of the Body of Knowledge so not every subject area will be covered. If the candidate passes the exam, the American Society for Quality will review the results and notify the candidate within two weeks of the exam.
Six Sigma certification is becoming an industry standard in quality improvement across all fields and industries. Depending on the level of certification, it requires a lot of training and retained knowledge. Those who become certified will add value to their department and make themselves much more marketable. The projects involved and knowledge gained from the training will help in all aspects of business, thus necessary skills are obtained during the certification procedure. Six Sigma will assist in eliminating excess which increases efficiency. Consequently, passing the Six Sigma exam involves much time and focus, but the results outweigh the effort.