For many, the journey to becoming an expert in Six Sigma is certification as a Green Belt or Black Belt. The two titles are the most common belts earned in Six Sigma. Both allow professionals to take on larger roles in process improvement.

While those who hold a Green Belt or Black Belt often work closely together, they have distinctly different skill sets and roles on project teams. In either case, earning a certification often can lead to higher salary potential and a better chance for career advancement.

The Six Sigma Belt Levels

Before getting into the specifics of the Green Belt and Black Belt, here is a brief overview of the various Six Sigma levels.

  • White Belt – This is the beginner’s belt. A White Belt provides professionals with a basic working knowledge of Six Sigma methodologies and how they impact an organization
  • Yellow Belt – At this level, professionals learn more about Six Sigma principles and, in a project setting, will help in gathering data and creating process maps
  • Green Belt – Those who earn a Green Belt are experts in the tools and concepts of Six Sigma. Earning Green Belt certification often requires passing a multiple-choice exam
  • Black Belt – At this level, professionals have a mastery of Six Sigma tools, techniques and data analysis and are capable of leading project teams. Black Belt certification often requires the completion of a Six Sigma project and passing an exam.
  • Master Black Belt – The highest level of Six Sigma mastery, Master Black Belts typically mentor Black Belts and influence enterprise-wide projects. Certification generally requires at least five years of experience in the role of Black Belt or Master Black Belt, or the completion of at least 10 Six Sigma Black Belt projects, and candidates must pass a certification exam.

Becoming a Leader

As can be seen from the list above, earning a Green Belt in Six Sigma is a huge leap from Yellow Belt status. A Green Belt has expertise in Six Sigma and has set their feet on the path toward leadership.

A Black Belt completes that journey. Those who earn a Black Belt are prepared to take on leadership roles, setting themselves up as experts in the areas of process improvement and change management.

Attaining a higher belt status can also lead to higher earning potential. According to the 2018 salary report from the American Society for Quality, working professionals who earned a Green Belt made approximately $10,000 more per year than those who had earned a Yellow Belt.

What a Green Belt Does

Yellow Belt training opens your eyes to what Six Sigma can accomplish. Yellow Belts learn how to apply Six Sigma tools and techniques in certain areas, such as in gathering data for a project (in itself no easy task).

Green Belts take the next step. They often are professionals already working in process improvement who aspire to become leaders in their field. Green Belts are experts in DMAIC, a foundational methodology in Six Sigma.

DMAIC stands for:

  • Define – Defining a challenge and building a case for why and how to change it
  • Measure – Setting goals, calculating performance standards and ensuring new processes contribute to an organization’s overall effectiveness
  • Analyze – Sifting data to find issues such as process redundancy
  • Improve – Creating, implementing and sustaining process improvement measures, and also creating standards to measure their effectiveness
  • Control – Adjusting new processes to ensure all goals are met

Green Belts often work directly under the supervision of a Black Belt who typically leads a team. Green Belts complete the data collection and analysis work. They sometimes will supervise and receive assistance from Yellow Belts.

What a Black Belt Does

Black Belts have all the expertise held by Green Belts on Six Sigma tools and techniques, but they also have a more thorough understanding of where and how to apply Six Sigma methodology to improve business goals. Black Belts are expected to handle the leadership of Six Sigma project teams.

Black Belts oversee the work of Green Belts as they collect and analyze data. Black Belts ensure that the correct information is gathered and is used in the most effective way possible. While those holding lower belts – including Green Belts – may work part-time on a project, a Black Belt typically works full-time.

Black Belts also play a crucial role in communication with executives. They generally act as the bridge between the project team and a company’s leaders. This requires an ability to make strategic plans and find ways that a Six Sigma project will benefit those plans, as well being able to put together reports that sum up the data findings of project teams.

Green Belts and Black Belts play key roles in accomplishing process improvement through Six Sigma. For those who wish to take on a higher-profile role in managing change at their organization, earning these Six Sigma belts can make the use of your skills and help you reach your career potential.