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The Black Belt Excellence training
Black Belt Excellence is the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt programme that adds strategic change management and leadership, developed in collaboration with Rotterdam School of Management (RSM). You complete 14 classroom days plus a practical project, and receive an internationally recognised certificate (ISO 18404 and ISO 13053).
Solving one improvement project is not the same as leading change across an organisation. If you want to grow into that role, Lean Six Sigma tools alone are not enough. Black Belt Excellence prepares you to lead complex, cross departmental projects and build a culture of continuous improvement, at a strategic level.
Overview
Training
Prijs
Course dates
October 2026 & March 2027
Language
English
Prerequisities
None
Locaties
Reviews
Black Belt Brochure
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All course details
Join this training course led by Olivier van Nieuwenhuizen and Jan Hein Tempelman.
Investment
Everything you need to know
All-in price
How much does a Black Belt Excellence course cost?
The Black Belt Excellence course costs €9,995. This is a transparent, all-inclusive price for the complete 14-day training programme, including everything you need to complete the course successfully. No unexpected costs, just quality.
The Black Belt Excellence course fee includes:
- Course materials and access to the e-learning platform
- The theory exam
- Certification
- Unlimited one-to-one coaching from your trainer
- Lifetime access to our online MyTraining platform
- More than 50 practical Lean Six Sigma templates and over 50 videos
- Guidance in applying Lean Six Sigma to your own improvement project
This allows you to apply what you learn directly in practice and achieve results quickly with your improvement project – often generating a return of five to six times your investment.
EnrollBefore you start
No prior training is required for the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Excellence Training. We start with the basics and build your knowledge step by step, so you can immediately start working with Lean Six Sigma in your work environment.
From learning to doing
The Black Belt Excellence program has been specially developed for professionals who want to lead improvement projects at an international level and master change management. In collaboration with the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), this program combines in-depth Lean Six Sigma expertise with a comprehensive Change Management module.
During the classroom sessions, you will learn how to carry out cross-departmental, national, and international projects, bridge cultural differences, and implement process optimizations at a strategic level. You will be guided by experienced (Master) Black Belts and experts in the field of change management.
The training is spread over several months, with a combination of classroom sessions and practical assignments. This gives you the time to effectively apply the method within your organization and achieve maximum impact.
On average, the program takes three to six months, depending on your pace and organization. During this period, your trainer will remain available until your project is successfully completed.
Financing options
There are various ways to finance training at The Lean Six Sigma Company. In many cases, it is customary for the employer to pay, and you can make arrangements for this. Are you paying for the training yourself? Then it is possible to pay in two installments. Please contact us to discuss the options and arrange this.
For organizations and individuals who cannot deduct VAT, such as private individuals, healthcare institutions, government agencies, and financial service providers, we offer VAT-free rates.
In addition, we are a partner of the UWV. Are you following a reintegration program through the UWV? Then you may be eligible for full reimbursement of your training. Do you have questions about this option? Feel free to contact our training advisor Jeanique Opdam via email or WhatsApp.
Return-on-investment (ROI)
Results and hard facts are often the best justification for a purchase. This also applies to our Black Belt Excellence training. After training thousands of students, we know that Black Belt projects quickly earn back 5 to 6 times the investment. And this starts from the very first project. With a turnaround time of approximately 2-3 months, it is even possible to carry out multiple Black Belt projects per year.
Enroll
Dates and registration
During the course days, you will not need to focus on anything other than your development. We provide a professional learning environment, including ample parking, coffee and tea, soft drinks, snacks, and a substantial lunch.
This all-inclusive approach allows you to focus entirely on developing your Lean Six Sigma skills and successfully completing your project.
Black Belt Excellence EN
Black Belt Excellence EN
Certification Journey
Preparation phase
Training Days
Your Project
Certification
IntroductiON
Managing change for success
People are the most complex part of any improvement project, but also a key element to its success. Generating support, involvement, and acceptance of change requires strong management skills, and because it’s such a complex topic, these skills aren’t easily acquired on the job. Ideally, you want a training which reveals expert change management insights and Lean Six Sigma tools and methods to cover all bases. During the Black Belt Excellence, you receive not one or the other, but both. We ensure that you enter the field of continuous improvement with all the right tools at your disposal. You will know exactly how to deal with the challenges of even the most complex improvement projects- so where others have to catch up, you will be ahead of the pack.
For Insightful leadership
When management is lacking, it’s not just performance that suffers. Motivation, commitment and even company culture will start to dissolve unless someone acts as a champion for their team. As a Black Belt Excellence trainee, you will study leadership techniques to learn how to rally support for new initiatives, both with team members and managers. During the Excellence course, you acquire the soft-skills needed to lead teams and align with stakeholders on any level. On the other hand, you will also gain the ability to back your proposals with statistics, through tools such as Minitab. This combination places you at the center of Lean Six Sigma efforts and paves the way for a role as future CI leader.
What is the Black Belt Excellence programme?
Black Belt Excellence is our complete Black Belt programme, extended with the Leading Change module developed by Rotterdam School of Management (RSM). It combines the full Lean Six Sigma Black Belt curriculum with strategic and international project leadership, so you are equipped to lead improvement at organisational level, not only within a single project. From day one, you apply what you learn to your own improvement project, not only in theory.
Why Change Management matters for a Black Belt
Black Belt projects rarely stay within one department. They cross teams, cultures and interests, and success depends as much on stakeholder support as on the technical solution. Without change management, even a well analysed project can fail to stick. This is the core reason Black Belt Excellence adds leadership and change management to the standard Black Belt curriculum.
How does Excellence differ from the other Black Belts?
The other Black Belt programmes are built around a sector, Industry or Services. Black Belt Excellence is different. It is built around level, not sector or diploma: you combine the full Black Belt curriculum with strategic leadership and change management, developed with RSM. Do you need a sector specific or diploma focused Black Belt instead? Compare the Black Belt Industry, Black Belt Services and Post HBO Black Belt programmes.
What you will learn
You cover the complete Black Belt curriculum: advanced DMAIC, statistics and data analysis with Minitab, and leading complex improvement projects. On top of that, you develop leadership skills, stakeholder alignment and the ability to guide cultural change. You learn to lead international, cross departmental projects, not only technical ones.
For whom and prerequisites
Black Belt Excellence is designed for experienced professionals who want to grow into a leading role in continuous improvement, as a future CI leader. No prior Lean Six Sigma knowledge is required: the programme starts from the fundamentals. It is best suited to professionals who already operate, or want to operate, at a strategic and international level.
Duration, structure and location
The programme consists of 14 classroom days, with a total duration of around 5 to 7 months, depending on your project. Part of the programme takes place on the RSM campus and the rest in the Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam. Next starting dates are October 17 2026 and March 22 2027.
Costs and what’s included
Black Belt Excellence costs EUR 9.995, all in. We coach you not only during the 14 classroom days, but also afterwards, until your improvement project is actually completed. The price includes course materials, one to one coaching, more than 50 practical templates, the exam and certification.
Certification
After your exam and your practical project, you receive the Black Belt Excellence certificate, in line with ISO 18404 and ISO 13053 and internationally recognised. It confirms not only your Black Belt expertise, but also your ability to lead strategic, cross departmental change. You will also receive a certificate of participation from Rotterdam School of Management for completing the Leading Change module.
What it delivers
Black Belt Excellence prepares you for a role as a CI leader: someone who does not only solve projects, but builds and leads a culture of continuous improvement. Black Belt projects typically deliver a return of 5 to 6 times the investment, starting with your first project. Ready to lead strategic change? Enrol for a start date or request the brochure.
Faq
Frequently asked questions
1. Why would a Black Belt want to know management techniques?
As a Black Belt, your projects involve and affect various departments. Rather than the departmental focus on a Green Belt’s projects, your work is inter-departmental. So knowing how to deal with interests, cultures, and our natural resistance to change could make the difference between a successful project or an initiative that strands halfway. This reduces support for further projects and lowers the willingness of managers and directors to dedicate resources to your work. Knowing how to lead means being the face of the project; you make sure people have someone to consult and rely on if they have questions or doubts. Your answers provide clarity, and more often than not, that is the biggest weakness of any project.
2. Can I enroll and join a training without any prior experience or knowledge of Lean Six Sigma?
Every training we provide assumes our students start the training without any understanding of the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It starts with the fundamentals and explains every topic that is mentioned without assuming prior experience. During the training, you will carry out simulations and exercises to help you develop your knowledge. If you choose to carry out a project as part of your training, you will be coached and assisted by one of the (Master) Black Belts of The Lean Six Sigma Company to help you get started.
3. Should I go for a Green Belt or Black Belt training?
This depends on your goals and what you intend to achieve. If you would prefer to employ Lean Six Sigma on a part-time basis, for example alongside other work, the Green Belt training would be the best choice. If it’s your aim to work with Continuous Improvement and Lean Six Sigma on a full-time basis, then the Black Belt training would be the right pick.
4. Is a Lean or Lean Six Sigma training relevant to my career phase?
Lean and Lean Six Sigma are methodologies that one can start using during any career phase, and this training is the ideal starting point. Even as a beginner, your work can add tremendous value. Either methodology can serve as an addition to your current work, replacing a part of your existing responsibilities. Or it can become a new full-time career, depending on the training you choose.
5. Green Belt vs Black Belt
The main difference is the scope of your projects. Green Belt projects are usually aimed at solving issues that affect a single department stakeholders. Black Belt projects tend to tackle long-standing, complex issues that cross departmental lines and affect different stakeholders. The responsibilities of a Green Belt align with those of a project manager. Black Belts carry more responsibilities and take a more active, leading role where they direct other Green Belts during projects.
6. How does the ‘Services’ training differ from the ‘Manufacturing’ training?
The Services training is most fitting for those employed in transactional careers such as general administration, logistics, finance, etc. The ‘Manufacturing’ training is most fitting for those involved with mass production, machinery, factories and automation). Of course, those who complete the Manufacturing training can still carry out projects in the aforementioned transactional fields.
7. Do you offer training in other languages?
More information about our worldwide presence can be found on our theleansixsigmacompany.com worldmap page, here you will find in which countries we are currently active and offer training.
8. What is the right training for me?
This depends on your goals and what you intend to achieve. If you would prefer to employ Lean Six Sigma on a part-time basis, for example alongside of other work, the Green Belt training would be the best choice. If it’s your aim to work with Continuous Improvement and Lean Six Sigma on a full-time basis, then the Black Belt training would be the right pick. The same applies to Lean and our Lean Practitioner and Lean Leader training, respectively.
9. Can I stay at a nearby hotel at a discounted rate?
For training courses held at the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam, we work together with Van der Valk Rotterdam-Blijdorp. Through our arrangement, you can stay overnight for €135 per night, including breakfast. If you complete an improvement card during your stay, you will also receive a complimentary dinner with two drinks. A free shuttle service to the Van Nelle Factory is also available, with a travel time of approximately 10 minutes.
Would you like to make use of this offer? Register for the training and then contactus so we can provide you with the code.
10. Why would a Black Belt need management/leadership techniques?
Black Belt projects cross departments. Handling interests, culture and resistance determines whether a project succeeds.
11. Can I enrol without prior Lean Six Sigma knowledge?
Yes. The programme starts from the fundamentals, so no prior knowledge is required.
12. How does Excellence differ from the other Black Belts?
Excellence adds leadership and change management, developed with RSM.
13. How long does the programme take?
14 classroom days, with a total duration of around 5 to 7 months. Part of the programme takes place at RSM.
14. What does it cost and what's included?
EUR 9.995, all in, including coaching, templates, exam and certification.
15. What certificate do I receive?
The Black Belt Excellence certificate, in line with ISO 18404 and ISO 13053, internationally recognised.
Want more information?
Perhaps you’re still doubting about which training is the right choice for you, or whether you should choose Lean or Lean Six Sigma. Let us help you with all your questions, in this way, you can always make the right choice. Our friendly helpdesk would love to hear from you
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