Training Professionals Since 2016
Trusted Across APAC
90%
Course Completion Rate
Personalised Trainer Support
What is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven approach to process improvement that combines Lean's focus on eliminating waste with Six Sigma's focus on reducing defects and variation - helping organisations deliver higher-quality outcomes faster and at lower cost.
Waste and Process Variations often combine to prevent operational excellence in organizations thus leading to poor product and service quality or outright reduction in productivity, leading to customer dissatisfaction, and lower profitability.
Some methodologies or techniques will eliminate these problems from occurring during the production process, leading to operational excellence thereby meeting organizational bottom lines. These methodologies and systems are the Lean techniques and the Six Sigma methodology.
Process
Lean is a process improvement method that eliminates waste and increases productivity.
Six Sigma Methodology is a process improvement method that enhances products or services output by removing defects.
Lean Six Sigma combines both the Lean method and the Six Sigma method to create a systematic approach and techniques that help organizations improve their processes to achieve operational excellence.
Lean vs Six Sigma vs Lean Six Sigma: What’s the Difference?
Lean and Six Sigma tackle the same goal – better processes – from two different angles. Lean focuses on removing waste: any step, delay, or resource that doesn’t add value for the customer. Six Sigma focuses on reducing variation and defects, using data and statistical analysis to find the root cause of quality problems. Lean Six Sigma merges the two, giving teams a single toolkit for making processes both faster and more consistent.
The Five Phases of DMAIC
Most Lean Six Sigma projects follow the DMAIC framework, a structured, five-phase approach to improvement:
- Define: Clarify the problem, the customer’s requirements, and the project’s goals.
- Measure: Collect data on how the process currently performs.
- Analyze: Identify the root causes behind defects, delays, or waste.
- Improve: Design, test, and implement solutions that address those root causes.
- Control: Put monitoring in place so the improvement holds over time.
Lean Six Sigma Belt Levels Explained
Lean Six Sigma certification is organised into “belt” levels, similar to martial arts, each reflecting a deeper level of expertise:
- White Belt: An introduction to core Lean Six Sigma concepts and vocabulary.
- Yellow Belt: Enough grounding to support process improvement projects as a team member. See our Yellow Belt course.
- Green Belt: The most common certification – enough depth to lead small-to-medium improvement projects. See our Green Belt course.
- Black Belt: Advanced statistical and leadership skills for running larger, more complex projects and mentoring Green Belts. See our Black Belt course.
- Master Black Belt: Oversees Lean Six Sigma strategy across an organisation and trains other belts.
Benefits of Lean Six Sigma
Organisations that adopt Lean Six Sigma typically see lower operating costs from reduced waste and rework, fewer defects and higher-quality products or services, faster turnaround and cycle times, improved customer satisfaction, and a more data-driven, continuous-improvement culture across teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lean Six Sigma in simple terms?
Lean Six Sigma is a method for improving how work gets done – it combines Lean’s focus on cutting waste with Six Sigma’s focus on cutting defects, so processes run faster and more reliably.
What is the difference between Lean and Six Sigma?
Lean focuses on eliminating non-value-adding steps to speed up a process, while Six Sigma focuses on reducing variation and defects using statistical analysis. Lean Six Sigma combines both approaches.
What are the Lean Six Sigma belt levels?
The main belt levels are White, Yellow, Green, Black, and Master Black Belt, each representing a deeper level of training and responsibility – from supporting a project (Yellow) to leading organisation-wide improvement strategy (Master Black Belt).
What does DMAIC stand for?
DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control – the five phases most Lean Six Sigma improvement projects follow.
Is Lean Six Sigma certification worth it?
For most professionals, yes – it’s a widely recognised credential that demonstrates the ability to lead process improvement, and it’s used across industries including healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and government.
How long does it take to get Lean Six Sigma certified?
It depends on the belt level – our courses are built around full-time (8-hour day) study periods of 1 day for Yellow Belt, 4 days for Green Belt, and 5 days for Black Belt, though many students prefer to spread that study out part-time over a longer period.