Is your organization considering Six Sigma training but you’re having difficulty rounding everyone up for instructor-led classes? If so, you may want to consider an online Six Sigma course, which can be a worthwhile alternative. Learning Six Sigma online can give your organization more flexibility and, in many cases, reduce your overall training costs.
Six Sigma online training courses offer the best of both worlds: uniformity of training and self-paced learning. While the course provided is the same for all trainees, it can still be delivered at varying times to various people.
Here are a few more reasons why online training for Six Sigma can be so effective.
Training Materials Available 24/7
Sure, there’s something very attractive about the potential of learning from a human instructor. But as wonderful as those human instructors are, they eventually have to go home – and so do you. When taking a course online, training materials are always available so you can access them at any time and at any place with an Internet connection, making online learning flexible and convenient.
Training Tailored to Each Student’s Specific Needs
Because online courses are presented in an electronic format, the training can be tailored to each student’s specific needs. For instance, training can be split into modules and those different modules can be presented to different team members within your organization. Doing this, you won’t waste time having employees learn what is not essential to their specific role in the Six Sigma project.
Lessons can give a broad overview of concepts and tools, or go into detail when necessary. This allows those employees who only need the basics to receive training in a concise and easy-to-comprehend format, while those who need more advanced training can view and interact with modules pertaining to more complex topics such as DMAIC problem-solving, deployment practices and project development.
More Control Over Training
Proper training means more students achieve their learning objectives. An online format gives you more control over the training your team members receive. Mini quizzes are typically included after each module, allowing a student’s understanding to be observed and immediate feedback can be given. This real-time learning and testing allows trainees to spend as much time as necessary on a module before moving on to the next lesson.
No Added Expenses
Unless your organization is using decades-old computers and a dial-up Internet connection, your online training won’t require you to go out and purchase any new or additional equipment. In addition, all course material and content can be delivered online at no extra cost.
Selecting the Best Online Six Sigma Course
The best Six Sigma online training courses are the ones that are interactive without being cluttered and hard to follow. Course material, as well as the interface, should be streamlined without too many bells and whistles to get in the way of learning. Interactive simulations, videos and testing modules are great, but make sure they actually add substance to the course. Most quality courses also contain interactive whiteboards, chat rooms for students and message boards/email for instructor interaction.
How to Help Your Team Succeed
Self-paced flexibility can also pose a challenge. Trainees should be able to learn when it fits their own schedule, but those sessions should still be structured and supervised to keep the students on track. It is sometimes suggested the online training only be made available on computers that live inside a dedicated training room and that specific times be assigned when individuals may come and learn without distractions.
An online Six Sigma course can be a valuable learning alternative and highly effective, provided the training is carried out in a systematic and organized manner. Whether as an addition or as a total replacement for a face-to-face classroom environment, online training can be a strong component of your organization’s Six Sigma success.
