We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Lois A. Jordan and David Cook, PhD

This course is designed for professionals interested in learning the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process and DFSS. This course is number 1 of 8 in this specialization dealing with topics in Organization Planning and Development.

Professionals with some completed coursework in statistics and a desire to drive continuous improvement within their organizations would find this course and the others in this specialization appealing.

Method of assessment consists of several formative and summative quizzes and a multi-part peer reviewed project completion regiment.

Enroll now

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

What's inside

Syllabus

Fundamentals of Lean and Six Sigma
Leadership
Strategic Planning
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches the principles and practices of Lean Sigma, a widely used approach for continuous improvement in various industries
Provides a solid foundation for professionals seeking to drive continuous improvement within their organizations
Assesses learning through formative and summative quizzes, as well as a peer-reviewed project, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of understanding
Covers essential topics such as leadership, strategic planning, and business measures, providing a holistic view of organizational development
Taught by David Cook, PhD, and Lois A. Jordan, experienced professionals in the field of continuous improvement

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Lean six sigma fundamentals for professionals

According to students, this course provides a solid introduction to Lean Six Sigma and the DMAIC process, serving as a strong foundation for professionals. Many learners found the content immediately applicable to their work, praising the clear explanations and practical examples provided. The peer-reviewed project is frequently highlighted as a challenging yet beneficial hands-on activity that aids in application. However, some learners noted concerns about the consistency of the peer review process. A common sentiment is that the course, while comprehensive, might be too introductory for those expecting Black Belt level depth, feeling more aligned with Green Belt principles. There were also occasional comments about dated materials.
Project offers challenging, valuable hands-on experience.
"The peer-reviewed project was challenging but very beneficial for applying what I learned."
"The practical project was challenging but rewarding, really solidifying the concepts."
"I found the peer project to be a valuable part of my learning experience."
Content is highly relevant for professional application.
"As a professional, I found the practical application of Lean Sigma principles immediately relevant to my work."
"I've already started applying some of the tools at my job, which is a great sign."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
Provides a clear introduction to Lean Six Sigma.
"Excellent introduction to Six Sigma concepts. The DMAIC methodology was clearly explained..."
"I found this course to be incredibly valuable... concepts were explained in a way that made them easy to grasp."
"This course provided me with a strong foundation in Lean Six Sigma."
Some course materials and examples appear dated.
"The materials could use an update for some of the business measures examples; they felt a bit old."
"My only minor critique is that some of the materials felt a little dated, but the core principles remain relevant."
"I noticed some of the examples provided in the course felt quite outdated."
Quality and consistency of peer feedback can vary.
"I found the peer review process a bit inconsistent; some reviewers were great, others not so much."
"The peer project was a good idea, but the grading was subjective sometimes, which was frustrating."
"I encountered variability in the quality of feedback from the peer review assignments."
May be too introductory for advanced Black Belt learners.
"It felt more like a Green Belt introduction, a bit too basic for experienced professionals."
"I expected more depth given it's for a Black Belt specialization; it was more foundational than advanced."
"I felt that some topics, like advanced statistics, were only briefly touched upon, requiring external study."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Organization Planning and Development for the 6 σ Black Belt with these activities:
Read 'Lean Six Sigma: A Tool for Process Improvement'
Read and understand a foundational book on Lean Six Sigma to reinforce course concepts.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly.
  • Take notes and highlight important concepts.
  • Discuss the book's key ideas with peers or a mentor.
Review leadership models
Review and refresh leadership models to prepare for course content on leadership skills.
Browse courses on Leadership
Show steps
  • Read articles or books on leadership models.
  • Create a summary of the main leadership models and their key concepts.
  • Identify examples of each leadership model in real-world organizations.
Participate in peer discussions
Engage in discussions with peers to exchange ideas, share insights, and gain different perspectives.
Browse courses on Collaboration
Show steps
  • Actively participate in discussions.
  • Find a study group or online forum.
  • Share your own insights and experiences.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Conduct financial analysis exercises
Solve financial analysis problems to reinforce concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on Financial Analysis
Show steps
  • Find practice problems or case studies related to financial analysis.
  • Solve the problems using the methods learned in the course.
  • Check your answers and identify areas for improvement.
Attend a Lean Six Sigma workshop
Expand knowledge and develop skills by attending a workshop on Lean Six Sigma.
Browse courses on Lean Six Sigma
Show steps
  • Find and register for a reputable Lean Six Sigma workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate.
  • Network with other attendees and industry experts.
Develop a business plan
Create a business plan to demonstrate understanding of the principles of business planning and strategic thinking.
Browse courses on Business Planning
Show steps
  • Define the business problem or opportunity.
  • Conduct market research and analysis.
  • Develop a business model and revenue strategy.
  • Create a marketing and sales plan.
  • Outline the financial projections and funding strategy.
Participate in case competitions
Apply course concepts and demonstrate problem-solving abilities by participating in case competitions.
Browse courses on Case Analysis
Show steps
  • Identify relevant case competitions.
  • Form a team and prepare for the competition.
  • Analyze the case and develop a solution.
  • Present your solution to a panel of judges.
Implement a Lean Six Sigma project
Enhance practical skills and apply course principles by implementing a Lean Six Sigma project in a real-world setting.
Browse courses on Project Management
Show steps
  • Identify a suitable project.
  • Define the project scope and objectives.
  • Conduct process analysis and data collection.
  • Develop and implement process improvements.
  • Monitor and evaluate the results.

Career center

Learners who complete Organization Planning and Development for the 6 σ Black Belt will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Process Improvement Manager
A Process Improvement Manager is responsible for identifying and implementing process improvements within an organization. This course can help build a foundation for a career in Process Improvement Management by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course can help build a foundation for a career in Operations Management by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course can help build a foundation for a career in Project Management by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Quality Assurance Manager
A Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for developing and implementing quality assurance programs within an organization. This course can help build a foundation for a career in Quality Assurance Management by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course can help build a foundation for a career in Business Analysis by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Systems Analyst
A Systems Analyst is responsible for designing and implementing information systems. This course can help build a foundation for a career in Systems Analysis by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing software. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Software Engineering by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Data Analysis by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Human Resources Manager
A Human Resources Manager is responsible for overseeing the human resources department of an organization. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Human Resources Management by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Market Research Analyst
A Market Research Analyst is responsible for conducting market research and analyzing data to identify trends and opportunities. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Market Research Analysis by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing financial data and making investment recommendations. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Financial Analysis by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Sales Manager
A Sales Manager is responsible for overseeing the sales department of an organization. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Sales Management by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager is responsible for overseeing the marketing department of an organization. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Marketing Management by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Product Manager
A Product Manager is responsible for overseeing the development and launch of products. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Product Management by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.
Consultant
A Consultant is responsible for providing advice and guidance to businesses. This course may be useful for those interested in a career in Consulting by providing an overview of the principles of Lean Sigma, the DMAIC process, and DFSS.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Organization Planning and Development for the 6 σ Black Belt.
Provides a quick reference guide to 100 Lean Six Sigma tools. It valuable resource for professionals who want to have a quick and easy reference to these tools.
Comprehensive guide to Lean Six Sigma, and it covers all the essential topics that are taught in the course. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Lean Six Sigma, and it can be used as a textbook or as a reference guide.
Provides a basic overview of Six Sigma. It good starting point for professionals who are new to this topic.
Provides a guide to using Lean Six Sigma in service industries. It valuable resource for professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Provides a guide to using Lean Six Sigma in healthcare. It valuable resource for professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Guide for practitioners of statistical process control. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about statistical process control, and it can be used as a textbook or as a reference guide.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser