Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Course
Are you ready to become a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt?
The Black Belt is an expert team leader, statistical analyst, and project manager - all rolled into one. As a Black Belt in training, you will learn how to master this diverse set of "soft" and "hard" skills so that, when you complete the course, you can quickly lead critical projects to successful completion.
Select a software version below to customize your course.
Course Overview +
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This instructor-supported course is 145 hours long, and you have access to the materials for 365 days. When you enroll in the standard course, you receive a free copy of EngineRoom®, MoreSteam's Microsoft® Excel®-based data analysis tool.
You also have other industry and software options to choose from (see Course Options section below).
Learning Objectives
The objective of this course is to develop a comprehensive set of skills that will let you to function effectively as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
You will learn the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt body of knowledge, practice techniques for both quantitative and non-quantitative analysis, and gain the team leadership skills necessary to get projects across the goal line.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
- Communicate using Lean Six Sigma concepts.
- Think about your organization as a collection of processes, with inputs that determine the output.
- Relate Lean Six Sigma concepts to the overall business mission and objectives.
- Use the concept of a Sigma Level to evaluate the capability of a process or organization.
- Understand and apply the five step DMAIC model as a framework to organize process improvement activity.
- Employ a wide range of process improvement techniques, including Design of Experiments, within the DMAIC model.
- Recognize the organizational factors that are necessary groundwork for a successful Lean Six Sigma effort.
- Employ your Six Sigma skills to lead a successful process improvement project delivering meaningful results to the organization.
To successfully complete this course, you must review all of the lessons and complete all of the quiz modules. MoreSteam will provide you with a Certificate of Training Completion. By completing this course, you will earn CEUs or PDUs of credit.
Course Structure
This course consists of twelve sessions, each of which is a collection of related lessons.
Individual lessons also include simulations, toolsets and interactive practice exercises. Each session ends with an interactive quiz to test your knowledge.
The course is presented in a logical sequence to follow the Six Sigma DMAIC improvement process. We believe that you will learn most efficiently by following the sequence presented.
In particular, the first session presents an overview of Six Sigma, which will be helpful to put the remaining sessions in proper context.
On every page, you have access to a variety of helpful learning tools, from an online encyclopedia to a notes tab to support links. You can use the course navigation map to move through the course in a linear fashion or you can skip around and explore topics as you see fit.
Want to see what the course looks like? Then take our brief course tour.
Efficient, Informative and Accessible
- All course content is presented online, in an on-demand format. To begin, you simply log onto the MoreSteam University learning portal.
- You will learn the DMAIC methodology through numerous case studies and examples drawn from Service, Business Process, and Manufacturing applications.
- Coursework includes Lean enterprise topics such as value stream mapping, continuous flow, line balancing, and others.
- With a heavy practice orientation, as much as 1/2 of your time will be spent working through interactive practice exercises and online assessments.
- Green Belt is NOT a prerequisite.
- You have 365 days to complete this course.
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Is This Right For You? +
The Black Belt is the heart of the Lean Six Sigma operation. As a Black Belt, you can lead any team across the organization in executing process improvement projects. You may also conduct Lean Six Sigma training and act as coaches and mentors to other Belts-in-training.
If your personal and career goal is to master this skill set and improve your value as an employee and organizational leader, then you should earn your Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
Benefits +
- Flexible: This course is presented in a logical, DMAIC format, but the sessions are modular, so you can explore the material as, how, and when you like.
- Accessible: Online training is available to you wherever you have an Internet connection and a browser.
- Responsive: The quizzes provide immediate feedback. The practice-based interactive exercise will engage your interest and help you to remember the material.
- Affordable: e-Learning has a far lower cost than classroom training. You have no travel expenses and don't miss valuable days at work.
- Meaningful: As proof of your expertise, you will receive a certificate of completion and CEUs or PDUs of credit.
Online training through MoreSteam is:
What the Alumni Say +
- Selected recent quotes from our alums:
- "I have taken many type of online training. This one ranks up there with the best. Especially the ability to stop the training and be able to pick right back up when you start again."
- - Ernest E., Schneider Electric
- "I heartily recommend the MoreSteam Lean Six Sigma Black Belt course to those interested in a vigorous and interesting endeavor. I found the course to be both challenging and entertaining."
- - Julius M., Valero Renewable Fuels
- "The course was even better than I expected. The different types of material, technical, quality, managerial, and mathematical were all handled and integrated very well. It was enjoyable to study and learn."
- - Richard P., General Dynamics
- "The online trainuing was extremely well reasaerched, resourced and easy to follow. The different practise exercises were also very good and gave the required practise equivalent to doing live class exercises. I'll highly recommend the course to anyone!"
- - Mthokozisi N., Johannesburg Water
- "A very cost effective way to get the training I needed. The high travel and tuition costs associated with other programs were a barrier for me and my manager."
- - Kay D., GENCO Pharmaceutical Services
- "I highly reccomend the course! MoreSteam is top of its class!!"
- - Tim Y., Polypipe Incorporated
- "The course has provided me with priceless knowledge to execute successfully Lean Six Sigma Improvement projects. All improvement team in my company have decided to take online training with Moresteam University. Excellent Course and support from Moresteam team."
- - Ali A., RasGas
Course Outline +
Session 1: Introduction To Lean Six Sigma • Introduction • Higher Standards for Higher Performance • Input Determines Output • Lean Six Sigma Defined • What's In a Name? • The 5 Lean Principles • The 8 Forms of Waste • Success Stories • The Sigma Level • The 99.9% Problem • Introduction to EngineRoom® • DNA of a Champion • Lean Six Sigma Framework • DMAIC - The Lean Six Sigma Improvement Process • Lean and DMAIC • Thought Process Mapping - Toolset • Organizing for Success • Working Relationships • Critical Success Factors • Exercises and Quiz Session 2: Define I - Starting A Project and Leading Teams • Getting Started - Project Initiation • Balanced Scorecard Toolset • Project Selection Toolset • Project Charter Toolset • Project Tracking Toolset • Fueling The Improvement Engine • Leadership Characteristics • Practice, Study and Reflection - Learning by Modeling • Leading Teams • Developing an Effective Team • Improving Team Development • Leading Change • Leading Change - Continued • Success Factors For Effective Change Management • Stakeholder Analysis - RACI Matrix • Exercises and Quiz Session 3: Define II - Voice of the Customer • Voice of The Customer • Focus on The Customer • Understanding Customer Requirements • Where to Go For Customer Requirements • Conducting Surveys • Survey Considerations • Surveys - Sampling Frame • Structuring Survey Questions • The Degree of Uncertainty in Sampling • Guideline for Margin of Error • Affinity Diagram Toolset • CTQC Tree Diagram Toolset • Operational Definition Toolset • Voice Of The Customer As Specifications • QFD Toolset • Exercises and Quiz Session 4: Define III - Mapping the Process • Drawing a Process Picture • Process Thinking • The Source of Value • Value Stream Leverage • Process Mapping - Overview • Process Mapping (SIPOC) Toolset • Flow Charts • Value-Added Flow Charts • Spaghetti Charts • Takt Time • Value Stream Mapping Toolset • Define Tollgate - Progress Review • Exercises and Quiz Session 5: Measure I - Measurements and Basic Statistics • Measurements and Basic Statistics • Business Problem Solving • Basic Statistical Terms • Descriptive and Inferential Statistics • Measurements • Discrete vs. Continuous Measurements • Measurement Subjects • Graphical Summaries • Pareto Chart Toolset • Histogram Toolset • Understanding Variation • Measuring Central Tendency • Quantifying Process Variability • The Normal Distribution • Exercises and Quiz Session 6: Measure II - Measurement System Analysis • Measurement System Analysis - Introduction • Measurement As A Process • Cause & Effect Matrix Toolset • The Analysis of Measurement Systems • The Requirements of Measurement Systems • Variable MSA - Gauge R & R • MSA - Graphing • Attribute Measurement System Analysis • Calibration of Measurement Systems • Collecting Data • Developing a Sampling Plan • Baseline Performance • Derivative Performance Metrics - Throughput Yield • Derivative Performance Metrics - Rolled Throughput Yield • Calculating the Sigma Level - Toolset • Exercises and Quiz Session 7: Measure III - Charting Process Behavior • Introduction - Charting Process Behavior • Trend Chart Toolset • SPC - Introduction and Background • SPC - Introduction to Control Charts • SPC - Control Chart Limits • SPC - More On Control Limits • Implementing SPC • SPC Chart Selection • Rational Subgrouping Toolset • X and Moving Range Charts - Toolset • Attribute Control Chart Toolset • X-bar and R Chart Toolset • Process Capability Toolset • The Sigma Level Revisited • Measure Tollgate - Progress Review • Exercises and Quiz Session 8: Analyze I - Identifying Potential Root Causes • ANALYZE I - Introduction • Finding The Root Cause • Cause & Effect Diagram Toolset • Alternative To The Cause & Effect Diagram • 5-Why, 1-How • A Combination of 5-Why, Pareto, and Trend Charts • Box Plots Toolset • Scatter Plot Toolset • Correlation and Regression Analysis • Multiple Regression Toolset • Logistic Regression Toolset • Factors In Determining Sample Size • Estimating Population Mean • Exercises and Quiz Session 9: Analyze II - Hypothesis Testing • ANALYZE II - Introduction • Introduction to Hypothesis Testing • The Process On Trial • The Hypothesis - Accept or Reject? • Types of Error • Power Analysis • Power Analysis - Factors • Hypothesis Testing • Confidence Intervals • Treatment Comparisons - Control Charts • Comparing One Proportion to a Standard • Comparing Two Proportions - Z-test Toolset • Comparing Multiple Proportions - Chi-Square • Comparing One Mean to a Standard - t-test • Comparing Two Means - t-test Toolset • Comparing Multiple Means - ANOVA /F-test Toolset • Confidence Intervals - Least Significant Difference • Comparing One Variance to a Std. - Chi-Square • Comparing Two Variances - F-test Toolset • Parametric vs. Non Parametric Tests • Non Parametric Toolset • Hypothesis Testing Learning Lab • Exercises and Quiz Session 10: Analyze III - Design of Experiments • Design of Experiments - Introduction • Design of Experiments - History • Design of Experiments - Components • Design of Experiments - Principles • Design of Experiments - Purpose • Design of Experiments - Process • Design of Experiments - Guidelines • Selecting the Right Design • Blocking • Blocking and Tackling • Faster Deliveries Through Experimentation • Beyond One-Factor Experiments • Two Level Full Factorial Toolset • Two Level Fractional Factorial Toolset • General Factorial Toolset • DOE Power and Sample Size • Designing An Experiment To Save The Kingdom • Better Pizza Through Design of Experiments • Designing Experiments to Sell More Coffee • Additional Subjects • Analyze Tollgate - Progress Review • Design of Experiments Exercises and Quiz Session 11: Improve • Improve • Design for Lean Six Sigma (DFSS) • Benchmarking • Brainstorming • Narrowing Down The List of Ideas • FMEA Toolset • Error-proofing • Prioritizing and Selecting a Solution • The A3 One-Page Report • Continuous Flow Toolset • Quick Changeover Toolset • Cellular Processing Toolset • Balancing Capacity with Demand • The Theory of Constraints (TOC) Toolset • Pull System Overview • Pull Scheduling • Pull Systems • Core Process Pull Toolset • Kaizen Toolset • Corrective Action Matrix • Piloting a Solution • System Dynamics Toolset • Improve Tollgate - Progress Review • Exercises and Quiz Session 12: Control • Control • Control Charts Revisited • The Process Control Plan • More On FMEA • Visual Control • 5-S Approach • CHECK Process • Total Productive Maintenance • TPM Objectives & Benefits • TPM Metrics • TPM Core Elements • TPM Maintenance Activities • Best Practices and Lessons Learned • Standardized Work - Documenting Process Changes • Ending the Project • Control Tollgate - Progress Review • Exercises and Quiz • Course Completion • The Lean Six Sigma Journey Course Options +
Industry Options
This course is available in several "industry flavors": Manufacturing (default), Healthcare, Financial Services, and Services.
Each version features customized case studies, examples and exercises. You can select your version when you purchase the course.
Software Options
This course is offered for different versions of statistical software: EngineRoom®, Minitab®, and JMP®. We have customized the datasets and instructions for each tool version.
When you enroll in the standard course (EngineRoom version), you receive a free copy of EngineRoom, MoreSteam's Microsoft Excel-based data analysis tool to use along with the course and tutorials.
If you select the Minitab or JMP version of the course, you will need to purchase and provide your own license of the software.
Certification +
At MoreSteam, we adhere to a high standard, where certification requires you to complete this training course, a comprehensive exam, and two approved projects.
Pre-Requisites +
- This course has no pre-requisites. Unlike other online providers, we do not require you to take any prerequisite course, Green Belt or other, prior to your Black Belt training.
- Our Black Belt course includes - as a subset - all of the material you would learn for a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. If you have already taken MoreSteam's Green Belt course, contact us to request an upgrade to Black Belt.
Materials +
Materials Provided by MoreSteam
- Microsoft® Excel® templates for problem solving and statistical analysis are available as downloads within the course material (dependant on version of course).
- The standard course version includes a copy of MoreSteam's EngineRoom data analysis software for Microsoft Excel.
Materials Provided by Student/Company
- General Purpose Statistics Software is useful but not necessary. Excel templates are provided by the course for statistical analysis. If you do not have a statistics package, options range from free internet downloads to higher-end packages like Minitab, Statistica, JMP etc. You can download a 30-day evaluation copy of most statistics packages over the Web.
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint). Office 2003 or higher is recommended. Office 97 and 2000 do not take advantage of all Excel template features. Non-English versions are not compatible with those templates using Macros.
Support +
When in your training course, you can use the on-screen Help features (e.g., glossary of terms and site search) for information. You can contact the Course Instructor by email during regular business hours to request assistance.
For general technical support, you can visit our MoreSteam University support section, where you can search through our online knowledgebase or send us a support request.
System Requirements +
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System Requirements for Online Courses
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows® with Microsoft Office® (Word®, Excel®). MS Office® 2007 or higher recommended. MS Office 2003 will not take advantage of all Excel template features.
- Display Properties Setting: Viewed best with High Color (16 Bit) or True Color (32 Bit) and 1024 x 768 screen size.
- Audio: Sound Card and Speakers or Headphones
- Internet Connection: high speed encouraged
- Browser: Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher (Free Download), or Firefox 7.0 or higher. Browser must be enabled to read Java.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader: Free Download, latest version, see below
- Flash 10 Player: Free Download, latest version, see below
- Java™ SE Runtime Environment: Free Download, see below
- Internet Explorer
- Adobe Flash Player
- Adobe Reader
- Firefox
- Java
Click here to test your system Click on any of the links below to download the latest software:
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Common Questions
When can I begin the course?
With e-Learning, you can start at any time after purchase. You do not have to wait for other students to fill a class or have to attend an instructor-led "kickoff" event. All the materials and instructions are online, and you can complete the course at your own pace.
How long does Black Belt training take?
You have 365 days to complete the course, which represents about 140 hours of training materials, not including any external project work you may include.
Do I need a project to complete the training?
No, you do not necessarily need a Black Belt project, but we strongly suggest that you do accompany the coursework with a meaningful project.
A real-world project will significantly enhance the learning experience because you can use it to directly practice the concepts and tools as you complete the course. Successful project work is also required for any certification process.
Do you offer pricing discounts for groups of trainees and deployments?
Of course! Many of our larger customers send tens to hundreds of employees through Black Belt training. Please contact us directly to discuss your specific needs.
