With the emphasis that Six Sigma places on statistics, data analysis, and process evaluation, it is important to remember that the success of a project is not based on quantitative factors. Rather, success is based on human factors. The heart of Six Sigma success is found in the individuals who are trained in the program and who make up project teams. The level of performance of a Six Sigma project tends to match the level of skill, dedication and commitment of the individual members of the team. Six Sigma is a people-driven process.
When reviewing the roles that contribute to a successful process, many think the most important are those of the Champions who support Six Sigma and ensure that projects are aligned with the overall business strategy, or the Black Belts who work full time to ensure that resources for deploying Six Sigma projects are maximized. However, Green Belts, who play a critical role in the process, are often overlooked.
Green Belts help bridge the gap between Six Sigma theory and real world application, they are skilled team players who are chosen for their subject matter expertise and dedication to results aimed at improving process quality. Green Belts are typically selected from the ranks of the company and can include technicians, operators, process supervisors and even project sponsors.
Green Belt training teaches candidates the basic tools used by a project team and how to apply DMAIC skills that relate to a Six Sigma project. The two-week training is often taught by the Black Belt who will oversee the project team. This training helps Green Belts learn to speak the same language as Black Belts and helps them to understand and apply basic Six Sigma tools. While Green Belts do not receive the full complement of Six Sigma training, they can make valuable contributions to the project and even lead a project team with the assistance of an experienced Black Belt.
The benefits that a company receives from a Green Belt-trained employee who has served on a successful project team don’t end when the project is completed. Given the proper training, Green Belts will never view their work the same way again. Once internalized, the highly-quantified, data-driven approach to Six Sigma gives Green Belts the quantitative tools to make decisions based on hard numbers instead of following their “gut” feeling. This training also helps Green Belts identify areas of quality improvement required in the daily operations of the business that they may not otherwise realize, and gives them the tools to pursue improvement in those areas.
Six Sigma is most beneficial to a company that builds a critical mass of employees who are trained in its practices and principles. Black Belts focus full-time on Six Sigma and generally make up no more than one percent of the workforce. Trained Green Belts have a strong knowledge of basic Six Sigma principles and the ability to implement them on a project team as they fulfill their regular workplace duties. A large population of Green Belts can allow management to spread Six Sigma throughout the organization, insuring that the company realizes positive change to quality improvement.
