Yes, Six Sigma is worth it. Keep reading to discover why it has become a widely recognized credential in the business world. Businesses, particularly those focused on process improvement and quality management, rely on Six Sigma as it has proven its worth with impressive results.
Companies that implemented Six Sigma techniques have seen 20-30% improvement in process efficiency.
Motorola, the originator of Six Sigma, reported savings of $16 billion over 15 years by implementing its techniques.
So, without further ado, let’s explore Six Sigma, what makes it worth the time and effort, and a lot more.
Understanding Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a methodology that improves business processes by identifying and eliminating defects or inefficiencies. It emerged as a manufacturing quality control measure, meant for achieving defect levels below 3.4 defects per million opportunities, translating into a 99.99966% success rate in processes.
Six Sigma uses a structured approach, called DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), to solve problems systematically. Companies that implement Six Sigma often witness a 20-30% improvement in process efficiency, resulting in significant cost reduction and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Amazon represents one of the prime examples of lean Six Sigma implementation. The company applied Six Sigma principles to reduce errors in its shipping process and saved millions of dollars annually.
Many of the industry’s big names have vouched for Six Sigma principles, e.g., Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch. He applied it across GE and achieved estimated savings of $12 billion in just five years.
Six Sigma’s Worth it — The benefits of Six Sigma
Below are all the right justifications for declaring Six Sigma worth your investment.
- Improves Process Efficiency
- Reduces Costs
- Boosts Quality
- Encourages Data-Driven Decisions
- Discourages Guesswork
- Enhances Problem-Solving Skills, Increases Career Opportunities
- Gives Businesses a Competitive Edge
- Drives Continuous Improvement Culture
- Quantifiable/Measurable Results
The Different Certification Levels of Lean Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a structured program that offers certifications that come in different belts. Each represents a specific level of expertise and responsibility.
Yellow Belt
| Purpose | Entry-level certification for beginners |
| Focus | Basic understanding of Six Sigma principles and terminology |
| Role | Supports project teams, data collection, and participation in small-scale improvement initiatives |
| Value | Limited career impact unless paired with further training or practical experience |
| Best for | Team members who need familiarity with Six Sigma concepts but won’t lead projects |
| Training duration | 1-2 days or 8-16 hours of instructions |
| Prerequisites | Usually done |
Green Belt
| Purpose | Mid-level certification with balanced accessibility and utility |
| Focus | Leads smaller projects or supports larger ones under Black Belt guidance |
| Role | Problem-solving, process improvement, and implementing Six Sigma tools |
| Value | Offers immediately applicable skills with room for growth, strikes a balance between investment and return. |
| Best for | Mid-level professionals for enhancing problem-solving abilities |
| Training duration | 1-2 weeks or 40-80 hours of instructions |
| Prerequisites | Basic understanding of processes
Some programs require Yellow Belt certification |
Black Belt
| Purpose | Advanced certification for serious practitioners |
| Focus | Leading complex projects and mentoring Green Belts |
| Role | Drives transformation within organizations, applies advanced statistical tools. |
| Value | Significant career asset for leadership roles in operations, quality management, and process engineering |
| Best for | Dedicated professionals are committed to mastering the Six Sigma methodology. |
| Training duration | 4 weeks or 160 hours of instruction spread over several months |
| Prerequisites | Often requires Green Belt certification and completion of a significant improvement project. |
Master Black Belt
| Purpose | Expert-level certification for seasoned professionals |
| Focus | Designing and overseeing Six Sigma programs at the organizational level |
| Role | Strategic implementation, training other belt holders, and developing new Six Sigma applications |
| Value | Prestigious but practical only for those dedicated to Six Sigma implementation as a career path |
| Best for | Experienced Black Belts to become Six Sigma trainers or program leaders |
| Training duration | Extensive training plus years of practical experience |
| Prerequisites | Black belt certification with demonstrated results on multiple projects |
Is Six Sigma Worth It? Different Perspectives
These are real-life experiences of various professionals excelling in the industry. Let’s see their take on Six Sigma’s worth.
The Career Advancement Perspective
Many professionals report significant career benefits from Six Sigma certification and implementation. A former employee from GE shared that getting a Black Belt certification was a game-changer for their career advancement.
“When I earned my Black Belt, I was so proud I put the Certificate up in my office… When I applied for my next promotion, I received it, the one after that, and so on. I became so good at my job, my managers thought I was a superwoman.”
The Industry Perspective
Six Sigma is an excellent resource for almost all industries. The value varies significantly by sector.
Here’s the list of the industries that have found Six Sigma practically valuable:
- Manufacturing: Relevant for quality control and process standardization.
- Healthcare significantly impacts patient safety, reducing errors and streamlining clinical and administrative processes.
- Finance: Valuable for reducing transaction errors, enhancing customer service, and improving compliance.
- Supply chain management: Critical for optimizing logistics, reducing waste, and improving delivery times.
- Quality management: Great for professionals dedicated to consistent quality improvements.
According to a professional on Quora, “If you’re in a field where process optimization and data-driven decision-making are critical, Six Sigma could be a game-changer. But if your work is more creative or less process-oriented, the return on investment might be less pronounced.”
The Financial Perspective
The investment in every level/belt of Six Sigma certification varies:
✔️Yellow Belt: $300-$500
✔️Green Belt: $1,000-$3,000
✔️Black Belt: $3,000-$7,000
✔️ Master Black Belt: $10,000+
Many professionals report the following significant returns on this investment.
✔️ Salary premiums for certified professionals (10-20% in some industries)
✔️ Faster promotion tracks
✔️ Access to leadership roles that would otherwise be unattainable
✔️ The ability to demonstrate quantifiable value to employers
The Educational Perspective
Some find Six Sigma complementary to educational credentials like an MBA. One commenter explained:
“Six Sigma training can make you an asset for just about any employer; An MBA could land you a strong salary. Both are powerful tools that can be used to drive your career advancement.”
Why is coupling Six Sigma with formal education considered a win-win? Because this combination can create a strong profile for managerial positions. While an MBA provides broader business knowledge, Six Sigma offers specialized expertise in quality improvement and operational excellence.
The Implementation Perspective
Some professionals believe that Six Sigma’s real value comes directly from the implementation of the methodology rather than certification.
One of them said, “Put it into perspective. One thing is, you have to be brutally honest about where your skill set currently is. It builds strong relationships with your team, which in turn closes the synthesis gap and prevents unforeseen issues, and works well like a well-oiled vessel.”
The Skeptical Perspective
Here’s the truth! Not everyone believes Six Sigma certification is worthwhile. Some critics argue:
“Pursue it only if required for employment… it is a narrow skillset.”
“The real deal in Six Sigma is about learning the tools and applying them in real life. It’s a hands-on skill, NOT knowledge.”
“Six Sigma is so simple that they had to add things to the training just to make it difficult.”
Considerations for Freshers and Students
Freshers and college students can also benefit from Six Sigma certification for the following reasons.
| Enhanced Employability
Adds a valuable credential to your resume that demonstrates analytical thinking and process orientation |
Networking
Connects you with professionals in the Six Sigma community who can provide mentorship and job opportunities |
| Competitive Advantage
Differentiate yourself from other candidates in a crowded job market |
Career Growth
Opens opportunities in quality management and process improvement early in your career |
| Skill Development
Acquire analytical and problem-solving skills that are transferable across roles and industries. |
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Final Thoughts
Six Sigma methodologies work well when properly applied, justifying the narrative, Six Sigma is all worth it. It’s pretty evident from Motorola’s $16 billion in savings, GE’s $12 billion achievement, and Amazon’s millions in annual cost reduction.
Besides implementation, many believe in the power of its certification, which is about developing a mindset focused on continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and attaining measurable results.
