Six Sigma Green Belt vs Six Sigma Yellow Belt? Which Certification to Choose?

What is Six Sigma

Six Sigma (pronounced six sigma) was developed by Motorola in 1986. In 1997, General Electric adopted it as a part of their GE Way and made it famous worldwide. Today, Six Sigma has many variations like DMAIC, DMADV, and DFSS. It can be applied to all kinds of business fields like Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Yellow Belt etc. and helps companies reduce costs, increase profits and improve quality management. 

How Do I Prepare for Both Certifications?

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to prepare for both certifications at once if you’re so inclined—both The Green Belt and The Yellow Belt exams cover similar territory and test similar skillsets. Your organization will likely have its certification schedule, but generally speaking, you should plan on taking both tests within a few months of each other (the time between tests gives you plenty of time to review topics).  

On that note, though, it’s a good idea to focus your studies on one or two specific processes in your organization while you prep; that way, when it comes time to take the test(s), you’ll be able to answer questions based on firsthand experience instead of vague memory. 

How do I Take my Test?

Before you can take your certification test, you must make sure that you are prepared and ready to do so. Certain requirements need to be met to pass your test—you must have a certain number of hours of training under your belt, have read and passed specific sections to be allowed into testing, etc.  

Make sure that you keep track of these things in a notebook or on a spreadsheet and check off all boxes as they’re completed so you don’t find yourself stuck at a testing time with one little item left unfinished! Also, while some tests can be taken almost immediately after completing initial training (and before meeting requirements), others require lots of lead time—so plan accordingly! 

Who Benefits from Six Sigma Training

Anyone involved in a continuous improvement process can benefit from Six Sigma training. Six Sigma focuses on reducing errors, waste, and defects in a process by setting goals, improving quality, and increasing throughput.  

It makes processes more efficient by relying on data to make decisions instead of gut feel or anecdotal evidence. There are six levels of certification, including three core levels – Green Belt, Black Belt, and Master Black Belt – and three advanced levels – Yellow, Gold, and Platinum Belts. 

SGB Vs YB – What are the differences

In Six Sigma, three belts represent different levels of achievement. First-level is Basic Black Belts (BBB). The next level up is Master Black Belts (MBB). And at last, there are Six Sigma Green Belts (SGB). A master black belt or MBB focuses on consulting while a six sigma green belt or SGB is more concerned with optimizing an organization’s internal processes. 

Six Sigma Green Belts have an additional focus on process management (workflow, time management, procedures) and project management. Six Sigma Green Belts are given specific responsibilities within a team to help organizations achieve business goals.  

The Green Belt title comes from their authority to take on tasks beyond Six Sigma basics and make decisions regarding projects based on their independent judgment. The Yellow Belt title comes from their basic understanding of statistics and probability, as well as being aware of how projects contribute to improvement cycles within an organization. They are also able to see how others work together to get tasks completed. 

Both programs are similar in that they cover both a project and a mentor-based approach to learning about Six Sigma, with both involving an examination and certification at completion. The biggest difference between them comes down to two things: cost and personal fit.  

On average, green belts cost $2,000 while yellow belts range from $3,000–$10,000 (more if you’re outsourcing your training). More so than anything else though, green belt training is designed to teach you exactly what you need to know to complete a project and go out into your organization and lead real-world projects while yellow belt courses provide a deeper dive into specific tools used throughout all industries. 

Should I Go for a 6 Sigma Certification

There are a lot of people who have questions regarding whether or not they should be pursuing Six Sigma certifications. To start, lean six sigma green belt certification has been an excellent tool for helping companies run more efficiently, and many businesses use it to ensure top quality.  

However, the six sigma yellow belt certification isn’t all that practical for small business owners and entrepreneurs to employ, especially if they don’t have lots of time on their hands. 

What Does it Cost to Take the Test Again if I Fail?

The cost of re-taking a test can vary wildly, depending on whether you’re taking it for your current company (in which case you may be reimbursed) or paying out of pocket to take a company certification course (for which there are often fees).  

The cost will also depend on what certification you’re going after and whether it’s a one-off test or part of a series; in some cases, you’ll have to pay extra if you fail your first attempt at certifying. That said, $50 isn’t at all unusual; an investment that may help lay down critical knowledge to get ahead in your field. 

Conclusion

If you’re looking to get your six sigma certification, there are a few steps you’ll need to take. First, you’ll want to make sure that your business meets 6 sigma’s eligibility requirements and doesn’t have any contractual obligations with other providers. Once that’s done, review our list of six sigma-certified providers below and call or email any that catch your eye.