Downtime, bottlenecks, duplicate steps, work silos, missed opportunities. No matter the cause, they represent wasted money, time and effort.

When addressing such challenges, many organizations rely on Six Sigma and Lean methodologies for guidance. Although originating in the manufacturing sector, Six Sigma and Lean practices are applied across all industries for reaching improvement goals such as reducing post-surgical infections, improving brand strategy, cutting military spending or streamlining fleet management.

"Six sigma" refers to the statistical analysis used when measuring process variation; "Lean" methodology is based on efficiency concepts of the Japanese manufacturing industry, focusing on waste reduction and efficient work processes.

“There remains an undiminished need for trained Lean Six Sigma practitioners who can help any business or organization reduce or control its costs, improve its products or services, and make verifiable contributions to the organization’s bottom line,” says Rich McGuigan, program director and lead instructor of the University of Delaware’s Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate program.

Six Sigma Green Belt practitioners take on and solve typical business problems that many companies face such as process cycle time issues (e.g. “Why does it take so long to do something?”), issues involving basic process waste (i.e. high defect levels) or basic customer satisfaction issues (e.g. high levels of customer complaints or dissatisfaction).

“Lean Six Sigma remains a standout addition to any professional’s credentials,” adds McGuigan, who is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt with over 40 years’ experience in information technology, broad program management and project management, and training and mentoring Six Sigma professionals.

Graduates of UD’s Lean Six Sigma Green Belt program earn the Six Sigma Green Belt designation, preparing them to function as team members on Lean Six Sigma projects in their organizations; or they can lead a Lean Six Sigma project team, providing guidance, direction and training to the rest of the project team. Additionally, Six Sigma Green Belts can pursue Six Sigma Black Belt or Six Sigma Master Black Belt training.

The upcoming certificate program begins Feb. 18, offered through UD’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies. UD students and UD alumni are eligible for a discount when enrolling. Other discounts include a military/veterans discount, and a group discount when two or more individuals from one business or organization register for the program.

This 14-week program is a hybrid course comprised of both in-class sessions and online/virtual instruction. The class meets for one all-day Saturday seminar on Saturday, Feb. 18, thereafter meeting on Thursday evenings and online, from Feb. 23-May 18. There are no prerequisites for enrollment.

For more information about the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate program including a detailed curriculum description, visit the website, write to continuing-ed@udel.edu or call 302-831-7600.