Six Sigma Principles from Coursera

This course is for you if you are looking to learn more about Six Sigma or refresh your knowledge of the basic components 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.

Our applied curriculum is built around the latest handbook The Certified Six Sigma Handbook (2nd edition) and students will develop /learn the fundamentals of Six Sigma. Registration includes online access to course content, projects, and resources but does not include the companion text The Certified Six Sigma 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 Foundations, Principles, Roles and Responsibilities

Welcome to the Six Sigma Yellow 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 the foundations of Six Sigma, the purpose of lean, and the value to the organization as a whole.

Quality Tools and Six Sigma Metrics

In this module Dr. Bill Bailey will introduce you to the different types of quality tools as well as important Six Sigma metrics that can be used throughout the DMAIC process. Quality tools and metrics are a critical tool for process improvement. This module will introduce you to some of the most common quality tools as well as the most important Six Sigma metrics.

Team Basics

Teamwork is an essential component of successful quality improvement work. Many successful organizations have leaders who work in teams. In this module you will learn about why teams are so important to the Six Sigma process, the different types of teams and their different objectives, the different stages of team development, decision making methods for use in teams, and team communication methods.

Lean Foundations and Principles

In this module you will be introduced to the purpose of lean and its methodologies. You will learn about the value of lean to an organization. This module will build off of what you have learned in the previous modules and help you to better understand how to better serve customers.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops knowledge of a foundational toolset in Six Sigma

Taught by four doctors with experience in Six Sigma and Engineering

Expands on six sigma foundations and applies these concepts to lean principles

Includes access to online course content, projects, and resources

Introduces students to the DMAIC process, a critical component of Six Sigma

Requires an additional textbook which adds cost to enrollment

Reviews summary

Lean six sigma yellow belt

learners say Six Sigma Principles include studying both Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. This course focuses on the basics of both in an accessible way by using engaging assignments and peer-reviewed quizzes. Some reviews suggest referring to the companion book, Six Sigma Yellow Belt 2ed, to excel in the quizzes, but the textbook is not mandatory for course completion. The course is led by experts, and it has excellent written presentations, and provides useful examples. Many students rave about how the course has changed the way they approach quality control and project management in the workplace. Others suggest it would be improved if there were more hands-on training. Overall, this course will teach you how to find problems and create solutions using these important methodologies.

The course's length and structure are appropriate for the material covered.

"I enjoy informative although the recommended reading book was too expensive."

"I would have been good if the correct answers were given to incorrect responses even on the practice quizzes."

"Is very usefull those therms on the organization."

"This is the best for skills improvements, all are skills (leader ship skills, organization leadership skills, problem solving skills, quality skills, motivation skill, etc) practices in this management course."

Working through the assignments with peer feedback is mentioned by some students to be very helpful in the learning process.

"The course material is really good and it helps a lot to gain an understanding of working with a team."

"This course amazingly explaine various new tools along with the six sigma."

"The recommended book provides the same benefit."

"Great explination on what Lean Six Sigma is and already starts to give tools to help your busniess grow."

The quizzes after each section help to reinforce the learning.

"Good Theory, good explanation."

"This course covers all topics like sig sigma, methodology, poka yoke ,sig sigma roles and responsibility .and it was very useful and easy to understanding ."

"really I happy to enroll in this course; I go much information and I used it in my work during learning this course also I will keep learning about six sigma"

"All the material that was presented in the course is excellent, the expositores, examples, tests, everything acorde to the course."

The course is presented by professors who are knowledgeable and experienced in the field.

"learned alot. Love the mixutre of reading, listening to videos, and projects."

"it would be tough but then I optimised with it."

"I thoroughly understand the specifics of Six Sigma, how and where to apply it."

"I am giving this a 5-star rating. The course was very interactive and covered all what I need to refresh my knowledge of the basic components of Six Sigma Principles."

The course effectively combines theory with practical applications in the real world.

"This basic training will allow you to understanhd and also to start to put in practiuce the Six Sigma principles in your life and work envoirom ent."

"I have learnt a lot of information about lean tools and benefits."

"Realized how to apply Six Sigma in various new tools as well as."

"I had a great experience learning with Coursera & all the faculty of University of Georgia were good."

This course offers a great introduction to the key principles and terms in Six Sigma methodologies.

"It was greatful to understand the principles of six sigma and lean methodologies, where I could recognize most of its application in previous jobs I have developed."

"I am very glad to have this course to build my career & talent."

"this is quite a good course for beginers have some knowledge !"

"the book that is recommended, is brilliant."

The user interface of the videos and notes could be improved to make the site easier to use.

"Videos are highly useful, well explained and detailed."

"there is one book, which is advertised by course leaders as recommended but not mandatory to finish this course, however in week 2 there is one exercise which requires to develop "process map" and tasks starts with words " after reading pages 56-59"."

"In these sections the content on the slides is often unrelated to the content which makes either very hard to follow."

"the content on the slides is often unrelated to the content which makes either very hard to follow."

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 Principles with these activities:

Organize Course Content

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Create a well-organized repository of lecture notes, assignments, and other materials to enhance your review and understanding.

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Create a dedicated folder for the course
Save and categorize all course materials
Use a note-taking system to summarize key points

Infographic: Six Sigma and Lean

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Create a visual representation to summarize the principles and benefits of Six Sigma and Lean.

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Research and gather information
Design and create the infographic

Online Six Sigma Training

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Supplement your learning with additional online resources and tutorials to enhance your understanding of Six Sigma concepts.

Browse courses on Quality Management

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Search for online training platforms
Choose a reputable course
Complete the online training

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Discussion Forums

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Engage with peers to discuss course concepts, share experiences, and enhance your understanding.

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Join the discussion threads
Post your insights
Respond to peers

DMAIC Practice Exercises

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Reinforce your understanding of the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology through hands-on exercises.

Browse courses on DMAIC process

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Gather a team
Identify a process
Apply DMAIC steps
Present findings and recommendations

Six Sigma Improvement Plan

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Develop a comprehensive plan to implement Six Sigma principles and improve the efficiency of a business process.

Browse courses on Process Optimization

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Identify an area for improvement
Collect data and analyze the process
Develop an improvement plan
Implement the plan
Monitor and evaluate the results

Six Sigma Problem-Solving Competition

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Participate in a competition to test your understanding of Six Sigma and showcase your problem-solving abilities.

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Find a relevant competition
Form a team or participate individually
Prepare for the competition
Present your solution

Career center

Learners who complete Six Sigma Principles will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Six Sigma Master Black Belt

A Six Sigma Master Black Belt is a highly skilled professional who leads and manages Six Sigma projects. This role requires a deep understanding of Six Sigma principles and methodologies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role and advance your career in quality management.

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

Six Sigma Black Belt

A Six Sigma Black Belt leads and executes Six Sigma projects to improve processes and reduce defects. This role requires a strong understanding of Six Sigma principles and methodologies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role and advance your career in quality management.

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

Lean Manufacturing Engineer

A Lean Manufacturing Engineer designs, implements, and maintains systems to improve manufacturing processes. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and improve efficiency. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge of Six Sigma principles and tools that are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lean Manufacturing Engineer

Process Engineer

A Process Engineer designs and optimizes production processes. This role involves using Six Sigma methodologies to identify and eliminate waste, improve quality, and increase productivity. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will give you a competitive edge in this in-demand field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Process Engineer

Continuous Improvement Manager

A Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for developing and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to identify and eliminate waste. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a strong foundation for a successful career in continuous improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Continuous Improvement Manager

Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst is responsible for ensuring that products and services meet quality standards. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to identify and resolve quality issues. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a solid foundation for a successful career in quality assurance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Manager

A Quality Manager is responsible for developing and implementing quality management systems. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to improve quality and reduce costs. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a solid foundation for a successful career in quality management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Manager

Quality Control Inspector

A Quality Control Inspector is responsible for inspecting products and services to ensure that they meet quality standards. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to identify and resolve quality issues. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a solid foundation for a successful career in quality control.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Inspector

Manufacturing Engineer

A Manufacturing Engineer designs, develops, and implements manufacturing processes. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to improve efficiency and productivity. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a strong foundation for a successful career in manufacturing engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to identify and resolve business problems. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a strong foundation for a successful career in business analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to support decision-making. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to improve data quality and analysis. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a valuable foundation for a successful career in data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the operations of an organization. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to improve efficiency and productivity. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a valuable foundation for a successful career in operations management.

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Consultant

A Consultant provides professional advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to help organizations improve their processes and performance. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a valuable foundation for a successful career in consulting.

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Industrial Engineer

An Industrial Engineer designs, improves, and installs integrated systems for managing industrial production. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to improve efficiency and productivity. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a valuable foundation for a successful career in industrial engineering.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This role often involves using Six Sigma methodologies to manage projects and ensure successful outcomes. The knowledge and skills you gain from this course will provide a valuable foundation for a successful career in project management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager