Lean Six Sigma Certification Policies: What are they in your organization?

The problem is no organization or entity has been able to define and establish a universal definition that everyone agrees upon. The ASQ established a testing criteria that has gained some acceptance, but still not universal. Many companies have struggled with what the criteria should be. Many consulting and training firms have defined what they think the criteria should be.




The Management Development Institute (MDI) of Missouri State University has stood by a criterion that was established 8 years ago. It has proven to be very successful with green belts becoming black belts and a few achieving the master black belt status. One of these master black belts was awarded the Missouri Quality Award which is analogous to Malcolm Baldrige, but at the state level.




These certified “belts” have been able to effectively conduct Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma projects and drive them to successful outcomes that their companies and organizations are extremely happy with. The total savings on certified projects from this program are close to $20 million dollars at this point with projects completed in the United States, Germany, Mexico, and South Africa.

The MDI criterion is as follows:



• Green Belts – complete the Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Training and successfully complete their 1st Project for their organization.


• Black Belts – complete the Black Belt Lean Six Sigma Training and successfully complete a 2nd Project for their organization.


• Master Black Belts – successfully complete their 3rd, 4th, and 5th Projects for their organizations.

Successful completion requires confirmation from the management team of the organization, documented and submitted project report to MDI MSU, and master black belt review by the instructor.




The key to certification is demonstrating the use of the tools and methods by completing projects that benefit your organization. Your reward is certification!




The instructor for MDI is Charlie Carpenter, President, Process Predictability Management Inc, and founder of EducateVirtually.com.




To find out more please visit EducateVirtually.com