SIX SIGMA CERTIFICATIONS

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt - Blended

Key Information

Course Dates

Time Commitment

2 weeks, in-person8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Not ready to commit?

Subscribe for email updates on future offerings and get a program brochure.

CREDENTIALS

Powered by: 

DIGITAL BADGE

Earn a digital badge after successful completion of the course.

DIGITAL CERTIFICATE

A certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of this course.

Traveling to Ann Arbor?

Information on airport, hotels, local food options, and more.

Earn your Black Belt from the University of Michigan.

Effective quality analysis requires finding the right tool for the right problem. Using a blend of case studies drawn from different industries, this course provides advanced continuous improvement and quality engineering analysis skills used in Lean Six Sigma problem solving. Our unique hyflex delivery format gives students the flexibility to choose either in-person or remote-live participation during this course.

Blended Track

This course focuses on applications drawn from a variety of industries, including manufacturing, transactional/service, and healthcare environments.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Understand variability through the graphical representation of data
  • Describe a process visually through process mapping techniques
  • Apply DMAIC problem solving process toward process improvement at the Black Belt skill level
  • Interpret test results and draw conclusions based on data
  • Develop recommendations and control plans to improve processes
  • Demonstrate understanding of the DMAIC methodology through the completion of a process improvement project outside of class

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Whether you choose remote-live or in-person participation, this course is designed to accommodate all students. It incorporates modules to complete at your own pace and live interactive class sessions. These interactive classroom sessions give students the opportunity to engage with U-M faculty, ask questions, and network with industry professionals.

Six Sigma Overview and Define Phase

  • DMAIC Problem Solving Process and DEFINE Phase
  • Sampling, Descriptive Statistics, and Basic Graphical Tools (Run Chart, Histogram, Box Plot)
  • Introduction to Minitab (Tutorial)

Process and Value Stream Mapping Analysis

  • Process Maps (Review of SIPOC/Swim Lane, Current and Future State Maps)
  • Value Stream Mapping (VSM) Analysis (Value Stream Process Redesign, Current State VSM, Value Add Timeline, Future State VSM)
  • Value Stream Productivity Analysis (Takt, Nominal vs. Effective Process Time, Detractors, Operator Bar Charts, Capacity and Utilization)

Measuring the Current State

  • MEASURE: Measure the Current State – Continuous Outputs (Yield, PPM Defective, Mean vs. Variation)
  • Measure Current State – Defect Count Data (DPMO, Rolled Yield, Tabulation, Check Sheets, and Pareto)
  • Minitab Tutorial – Measure Phase
  • Measuring Current State Using Survey Methods

Statistical Process Control and Process Capability Analysis

  • Assessing Process Stability: Variable Control Charts (X-Bar/Range, I/MR)
  • Statistical Process Control: Attribute Charts (e.g., p-chart, u-chart)
  • Minitab Tutorial – SPC
  • Process Capability Analysis (Cp and Cpk) – Mean vs. Variation, Normal/Non-Normal Distributions
  • Minitab Tutorial – Process Capability Analysis

Data Collection and Hypothesis Testing

  • Data Collection and Qualitative Process Analysis (Data Collection, Cause and Effect, P-Diagram)
  • Two Group Hypothesis Tests (F-tests, t-tests, 2 Proportion, ANOVA)
  • One-Factor ANOVA – Operating Windows
  • Power and Sample Size Planning
  • Minitab Tutorial – Hypothesis Testing

Improve and Control

  • IMPROVE Phase – Countermeasures and Short Term Verification
  • IMPROVE Phase – Standardized Work and Load Leveling
  • CONTROL – Methods of Control, Visual Controls, and Control Plans
  • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) – Improving Methods of Control (Detection)

Categorical Data Analysis and Transactional Measurement Systems Analysis

  • Nonparametric Hypothesis Tests
  • Categorical Data Analysis (Measures of Association)
  • Minitab Tutorial – Categorical Data Analysis
  • Transactional Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) (Sources of Measurement Error, Accuracy and Repeated Measurement Studies)
  • Attribute Agreement Analysis
  • Minitab Tutorial – Transactional MSA

Regression Analysis

  • Two Variable Analysis – Simple Linear Regression/Correlation
  • Multiple Regression/Stepwise Regression/Best Subset
  • Binary Logistic Regression Analysis
  • Minitab Tutorial – Regression Analysis

Design of Experiments and General Linear Model

  • Multi-Vari Studies
  • Principles of Design of Experiments (DOE)
  • DOE – 2k Factorial
  • Minitab Tutorial – DOE
  • General Linear Model (GLM)
  • Minitab Tutorial – GLM

Project Selection and DMAIC Gate Review Process

  • Tolerance Analysis and Adjustment
  • Project Identification and Selection Techniques
  • DMAIC Project Management
  • Course Summary and DMAIC Gate Review Process

Hyflex 

The course spans two weeks total, with daily sessions running from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and students can choose to attend either in-person or remote-live. Students will have a blend of coursework to complete in and outside of class. After successfully finishing the course, students must complete the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Exam within 365 days.

All requirements must be completed within 365 days after your start date. If you do not complete the course within one year of your start date, you will be required to re-enroll at a reduced cost of $500.

Lean Six Sigma DMAIC analysis may be applied to a vast array of process improvement opportunities. Participants are expected to complete a project to practice and apply course concepts.

Learn More

Participants pursuing their University of Michigan Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification are required to:

  • Participate in all course training days and successfully complete all in-class and online exercises and case studies
  • Complete all testing exercises and case studies and obtain an overall cumulative score > 80%
  • Obtain an 80% or above on Black Belt Certification Exam
  • Obtain approval of Black Belt Project Proposal by U-M faculty
  • Successfully complete a Black Belt Project (reviewed by U-M faculty)

Upon successful completion, you will be mailed your University of Michigan Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

Participants are expected to have knowledge in statistical concepts and linear statistical models along with their application to data analysis. Recommended prerequisite topics include:

  • Descriptive statistics
  • Sampling and distributions (e.g., Normal)
  • Simple linear regression and correlation
  • Hypothesis testing

Successful completion of an undergraduate Statistics and/or Linear Statistical Models course is desired. Completion of Green Belt certification is desired but not required, especially if candidates have background in the above prerequisite topics.

To view technical requirements, click here.

Administrative/Online Technical Support

Support staff are available via phone and email to help with administrative and technical issues during our normal business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). 

Content Questions/Certification Project Support

Candidates are welcome to contact the course instructors for content questions and project support. The instructors will provide support via e-mail, phone consultation, and/or online videoconferencing.

ONLINE COURSE ACCESS

You will receive access to both the online Green Belt and Black Belt courses to review for project work and exam preparation. Supplemental modules are available for topics including:

  • Measurement Systems Analysis: Gage R&R Study
  • Introduction to Sample Size Planning (Single Statistics, Margin of Error, CV)
  • Complex Regression and Data Transforms
  • DOE Fractional Factorial Designs, 3k Factorial, 2k w/ Center Points
  • Pugh Concept Selection Process

Software Requirements

The assignment exercises and case studies involve the extensive use of Minitab (not Minitab Express) Statistical Software for analysis. Lectures and assignments are developed for Minitab or equivalent software (SPSS, STAT SOFT, SAS).

If your organization does not offer Minitab please email nexus-answers@umich.edu and Nexus will help provide access for this course.

1. Install VMWare Fusion for Mac. Download: https://caenfaq.engin.umich.edu/vmap/what-is-vmap

2. Create a Windows Virtual machine using VMWare Fusion.

3. Install Minitab (Full version) inside the newly created Virtual Windows machine.

Six Sigma Content Subscription

Interested in maintaining access to course materials after you earn your certification? Purchase a 1-year Six Sigma Content Subscription and retain access to your Canvas account.

INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM

Pat Hammett

Pat Hammett, PhD

  • Lead Faculty, Six Sigma Programs
  • Associate Chair of Masters Education, Integrative Systems + Design
  • Lecturer, College of Engineering
Don Lynch

Don Lynch, PhD

  • Instructor, Nexus
  • Vice President of Quality, Strategy, and Transformation, SKF USA Inc.

Nicole Friedberg

  • Instructor, Nexus
Luis Guzman

Luis Guzman, PhD

  • Instructor, Nexus
  • Lecturer, Industrial & Operations Engineering

What's Next?

CERTIFICATE

Master Black Belt in Operational Excellence

Gain program management and technical problem-solving skills to be an effective continuous improvement leader.

CERTIFICATE

Lean Leadership

Transform your organization by inspiring behavioral change.

Contact Nexus

Scroll to Top

CONTACT US

Would you like to request a custom course? Please email Andrea Schuitman at aschuit@umich.edu or submit the form below.

Become Our Next Partner

We want to build relationships with people and organizations and welcome the opportunity to connect with you.

Please submit form or call (734) 647-7200 to get started.