{"id":14579,"date":"2025-08-25T15:43:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T14:43:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theleansixsigmacompany.com\/uk\/?p=14579"},"modified":"2025-08-28T13:07:29","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T12:07:29","slug":"what-is-a-green-belt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theleansixsigmacompany.com\/uk\/library\/what-is-a-green-belt\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Green Belt?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Within Lean Six Sigma<\/a> professional jargon you will often hear different \u2018belts\u2019 mentioned. You will find belts in every color of the spectrum, but what does a certain belt color actually mean? The Belts indicate a certain level of expertise. They show at which level someone can apply the Lean Six Sigma methodology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Green Belt indicates the practitioner possesses sufficient knowledge and expertise to execute projects independently within the department. Starting at the Green Belt level, one may expect the practitioner has the required knowledge with respect to ongoing or daily improvement initiatives (Lean) as well as project based improvement (Six Sigma).<\/p>\n\n\n\n What did I learn during a Green Belt course?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A good Lean Six Sigma Green Belt<\/a> course will spend time on topics such as the DMAIC model<\/a>, the PDCA cyclus, the 5 steps of Womack, the 7+1 types of waste and more. Furthermore, tools such as Value Stream Mapping, de Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA<\/a>), Poke Yoke<\/a>, and many others will be covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The core of what you learn is to substantiate \u2018assertions\u2019. You will learn to point out improvement opportunities and realize these opportunities using data and facts. You know no longer work based on your \u2018gut feel\u2019. The particular strength of our Green Belt course <\/a>is that you can also execute a project. Coached by an experienced (Master) Black Belt you will learn how to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice within your work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is an example of a Green Belt project?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Green belt projects greatly vary, simply because each process which can be standardized can be improved. An example of a Green Belt project is shortening the lead time of a particular process. For example, requesting a particular license takes two months from beginning to end. As a Green Belt you will scrutinize this process. You will identify \u2018where\u2019 waste can be found in this process, remove it from the process and only maintain proces steps which have added value. This is a typical example of a Lean project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Six Sigma project on the other hand, would be much more focused on the the quality of the process output. In our example, decreasing the number of licenses with printing errors by looking for the root causes for these errors. After having identified the root causes, you and your team will decide on a way forward leading to a maximum gain at the lowest cost. It will lead to a pilot project, which will elevate the processing level of the entire department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What benefits do Green Belt projects bring?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After having \u2018coached\u2019 thousands of course participants during their practical assignments (projects), the benefits of a Green Belt project are predictable to us. In general, it is safe to say most of our course participants will strive for a project benefit of at least \u00a375,000. Often these benefits are already visible the quarter after the start of the (sometimes even first) project. Projects typically have a lead time of three to six months. By executing two to four projects a year, an annual benfit of \u00a3150.000-\u00a3300.000 is a realistic target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It should be noted the lead time of a project is influenced by the Lean Six Sigma \u2018maturity\u2019 of the organisation. Is the methodology already commonly embraced or are you the first to start? Generally speaking, the more mature the organisation, the faster it will be able to reap the benefits. It also illustrates how powerful the methodology is; the more people can use it, the more effective it will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Will I be able to improve my career or my employability as a Green Belt ?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows Green Belt certification is increasingly sought after in job adverts and although it will certainly depend on factors such as experience and seniority, the qualification will lead to better career opportunities. Browse the job adverts on the itnernet to verify what we are telling you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n