Six Sigma and the Organization (Advanced) from Coursera

This course is for you if you are looking to dive deeper into Six Sigma or strengthen and expand your knowledge of the basic components of green belt level of Six Sigma and Lean. Six Sigma skills are widely sought by employers both nationally and internationally. These skills have been proven to help improve business processes and performance. This course will introduce you to the purpose of Six Sigma and its value to an organization. You will learn about the basic principles of Six Sigma and Lean. Your instructors will introduce you to, and have you apply, some of the tools and metrics that are critical components of Six Sigma. This course will provide you with the basic knowledge of the principles, roles, and responsibilities of Six Sigma and Lean.

Every module will include readings, videos, and a quiz to help make sure you understand the material and concepts that are studied. You will also have the opportunity to participate in discussions and peer review exercises to give you the opportunity to apply the material to your daily life.

Registration includes online access to course content, projects, and resources but does not include the companion text The Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Handbook (2nd edition). The companion text is NOT required to complete the assignments. However, the text is a recognized handbook used by professionals in the field. Also, it is a highly-recommended text for those wishing to move forward in Six Sigma and eventually gain certification from professional agencies such as American Society for Quality (ASQ).

What's inside

Syllabus

Six Sigma and the Organization

Welcome to the Six Sigma Green Belt Specialization! Six Sigma skills are widely sought by employers both nationally and internationally. These skills help to improve business processes and performance. Your team of instructors, Dr. Bill Bailey, Dr. David Cook, Dr. Christine Scherrer, and Dr. Gregory Wiles, currently work in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University. They have collaborated to create a specialization that is all encompassing of the Six Sigma methodologies for both Yellow and Green belt. Completion of this specialization will provide you with the knowledge to either continue to full Six Sigma certification or simply advance your knowledge professionally. In this module you will be introduced to how Six Sigma interacts with the organization, lean principles, and project management basics.

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Taught by David Cook and Bill Bailey, who are professors in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University

Strengthens core components of Six Sigma and Lean without the need for the companion text, which is used by industry professionals

Provides various modes of media, including readings, videos, and discussions, as well as the opportunity to apply Six Sigma concepts

Covers quality tools, including those used in lean

Emphasizes cost and time savings as benefits of green belt certification through Six Sigma

Provides a strong foundation for individuals looking to advance in Six Sigma and eventually gain professional certification

Reviews summary

Advanced six sigma and lean principles

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to Six Sigma and Lean principles at the Green Belt level, focusing on its organizational context. Many find the content well-structured and easy to follow, especially appreciating the practical examples and hands-on exercises like the peer review assignments. The course effectively covers key concepts such as VOC and project management basics within the Six Sigma framework. However, some note that while it offers a strong theoretical foundation, it might require additional resources or practical application for full mastery or preparation for certification exams beyond this introductory level.

Helpful with prior Six Sigma/Lean knowledge.

"Having some prior knowledge of Yellow Belt concepts made this course much easier to follow."

"The refresher areas were helpful, but if you have absolutely no background, it might be a bit fast-paced."

"I recommend reviewing Yellow Belt material first if you are completely new to Six Sigma before starting this course."

"Understanding basic Lean principles beforehand is beneficial for grasping the connections made in this course."

Good intro, may need more depth for some.

"This course provides a good overview but feels more like an 'advanced introduction' rather than a deep dive into Green Belt material."

"It lays a strong theoretical foundation but might not be sufficient on its own for those targeting certification without further study."

"While it covers the basics well, I feel I would need more practical project experience or data analysis detail for a true Green Belt level."

"Good first step into Green Belt, but definitely not the only resource needed for comprehensive knowledge or exam prep."

Examples and exercises aid learning.

"The practical examples provided throughout the modules were extremely helpful in seeing how Six Sigma is applied in real-world scenarios."

"Peer review exercises gave me a great opportunity to apply the material and learn from others' perspectives."

"I appreciated the focus on tools and metrics with demonstrations on how to use them."

"The hands-on parts, like applying VOC principles, were really valuable for practical learning."

Well-organized, easy to understand concepts.

"The course content was well-structured and easy to follow, making complex Six Sigma concepts understandable."

"I found the material clear and concise, building a good foundation for understanding how Six Sigma fits into an organization."

"The lectures and readings were presented logically, and the examples helped solidify my understanding of the principles."

"Very clear and concise overview on Six Sigma and its practical application in business."

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 Six Sigma and the Organization (Advanced) with these activities:

Review Lean Principles

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Review the foundational principles of Lean to strengthen understanding for the course.

Browse courses on Lean Principles

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Identify the 5 Lean Principles
Explain the role of waste reduction in Lean
Describe the concept of continuous improvement

Read 'The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook'

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Reading a reference book will help you solidify your understanding of the concepts.

View Lean Six Sigma - An Introduction and Toolkit... on Amazon

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Read the chapter on the DMAIC process
Read the section on using Six Sigma tools
Review the case studies in the book

Using Six Sigma Tools

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Applying Six Sigma Tools will make you more proficient in using them in real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on DMAIC

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Practice using DMAIC to solve a problem
Create a process map for an existing process
Conduct a root cause analysis using a fishbone diagram

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Career center

Learners who complete Six Sigma and the Organization (Advanced) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Six Sigma Master Black Belt

Six Sigma Master Black Belts are the highest level of Six Sigma certification. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to become a Six Sigma Master Black Belt. You will learn the advanced principles, tools, and techniques of Six Sigma and how to apply them to improve the quality and efficiency of your organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Six Sigma Master Black Belt

Six Sigma Black Belt

Six Sigma Black Belts are experts in Six Sigma methodologies. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to become a Six Sigma Black Belt. You will learn the principles, tools, and techniques of Six Sigma and how to apply them to improve the quality and efficiency of your organization.

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Quality Assurance Manager

Quality assurance managers work to design and implement quality control standards and processes. This course will teach you many tools for carrying out your essential responsibilities, such as identifying defects and implementing quality improvements. The tools you learn will build a strong foundation for your role in quality assurance management.

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Process Engineer

Process engineers design and improve processes. This course will teach you the tools and techniques that process engineers use to do this, including Six Sigma tools, methods, and metrics. With these Six Sigma skills, you can make data-driven decisions that will help you improve your processes and achieve your process improvement goals.

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Quality Engineer

Quality engineers develop and implement quality systems. This course will enable you to improve your quality systems and processes. The course will give you a strong foundation in Six Sigma principles and tools. You will learn how to use these tools to identify and eliminate defects, improve quality and efficiency, and reduce costs.

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Operations Manager

Operations managers are responsible for running departments of companies. They will typically make mid-level pivot decisions in order to optimize their operations for efficiency and profitability. Six Sigma is a potent way to make these decisions. This course will give you a strong foundation for understanding how to implement Six Sigma principles, frameworks, and tools within the context of advanced operations management.

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Continuous Improvement Manager

Continuous improvement managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their organizations. This course can provide you with additional tools to support your process improvement responsibilities. The course will give you a strong foundation in Six Sigma principles and tools. You will learn how to use these tools to identify and eliminate waste, improve quality and efficiency, and reduce costs.

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Project Manager

Project managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course will teach you the tools and techniques that project managers use to do this, including the principles and roles of Six Sigma in projects. You will also learn project management basics like VOC and business results that apply both to general project management and to project management within the context of Six Sigma.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use mathematical and analytical methods to solve problems in business and industry. Six Sigma techniques are common in this field and can aid problem-solving. This course will give you a strong foundation in the principles and tools that operations research analysts use, in addition to the principles and tools of Six Sigma. You will learn how to use these tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your operations.

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Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing engineers design, develop, and implement manufacturing processes. Six Sigma plays a key role in improving manufacturing processes. This course will give you a strong foundation in Six Sigma principles and tools. You will learn how to use these tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your manufacturing processes.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts help companies identify opportunities to improve their products, services, and processes. This course will give you a strong foundation in the principles and tools that business analysts use to do this. Six Sigma methodologies like "Voice of the Customer" will help you in business analysis to distill client/customer input into actionable steps.

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Quality Control Inspector

Quality control inspectors ensure that products and services meet quality standards. This course will teach you the tools and techniques that quality control inspectors use to do this, including Six Sigma tools, methods, and metrics. You will also learn the purpose of Six Sigma methodologies, their value to organizations, and how they work within organizations. These skills will give you a strong foundation for your role as a quality inspector.

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Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers design, improve, and install integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment. This course can supplement your engineering degree. The course will give you a strong foundation in Six Sigma principles and tools. You will use these tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your industrial systems designs.

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Management Consultant

Management consultants help companies improve their performance. Six Sigma methodologies are a common component of consulting work. This course will give you a strong foundation in the principles and tools that management consultants use, along with the language used in Six Sigma. This will make you more effective in your role as a management consultant.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course will give you foundational skills that data analysts leverage every day, such as Six Sigma tools and metrics. You will learn how to use these tools and metrics to improve the quality of your analyses and make more informed recommendations.

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