Six Sigma Yellow Belt: The Basics
A Yellow Belt is a level that is achieved through training and application of the tenets of the Six Sigma process improvement program. This person is the first level or lowest ranking in the order of the process. They are usually support staff within a Six Sigma organization and their role is critical to its success.
In order to effect change in any work environment, you need people on the ground who will institute and implement the strategies decided upon by those higher up in the management process. In the military, these people are the NCOs or the non-commissioned officers. These people are usually Sergeants and are those individuals that ensure that the real work is accomplished. They can take charge of a situation and continue the necessary work without needing a great deal of input from those higher up the chain.
Six Sigma Yellow Belts may not be able to ascertain the numerical data that comes in and interpret and translate it into exact methods and strategies, but they are very capable of implanting the processes decided upon by those whose abilities are highly focused on analysis and interpretation of incoming data streams.
A Yellow Belt has taken an approved Six Sigma training course and who has taken a final examination and achieved a passing score. These people will be primarily responsible for helping the untrained workers implement the strategies of continuous improvement and process management.
In order for any system or business to achieve the goal of zero defects, it will need several Six Sigma Yellow Belt individuals to help move the processes along the path to attain the stated goals. These people will help others understand basic ideas and lead them through the necessary processes to bring the goals within reach. Typically, they implement the fundamental cycle of Plan, Do, Check, and Act, which is further refined in the system of DMAIC. DMAIC is an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.
These individuals will have become very proficient at finding the root cause of problems and their knowledge of the specific production processes will be vital to those project managers who need their input to make sure the planned improvements are feasible. Their knowledge and experience will be very helpful when it comes time to implement new procedures as well as in trouble shooting existing problems.
A Six Sigma Yellow Belt will be very useful in their common sense approach to items that might appear on the surface to be very complex. By listening to the suggestions offered, those with the larger picture in mind will be able to understand the specifics of production process, the needs that must be met in terms of the employee base, and the realistic goals that can be achieved in the current production environment.
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