Lean Six Sigma
White, Yellow, Green & Black Belt
Lean Six Sigma is a management methodology that aims to increase quality, performance and customer satisfaction with lower costs. Its two main focusses are the systematic elimination of waste from every process in the company and only keeping activities that are of value to the customer. Although Lean Six Sigma was created in Toyota, Motorola and GE, its methodology is commonly used in the service sector as well. Throughout our practical courses, you will understand what a Lean way of working looks like and what Lean thinking is all about; you will look for innovative solutions for your real business case study, and you will get a set of PwC project templates used by PwC consultants when they are working on innovation projects.
Kick-off digitalisation
If you want to start the digital transformation in your company, you need to first map and optimise the processes. And that is exactly where Lean Six Sigma can help you.
Innovate your business
Find smart solutions that make things easier, faster, cheaper and of higher value. Learn to lead innovative projects.
Understand your customers
Understand customer needs and tailor the processes to bring them real value.
Lean Six Sigma courses
- White Belt
- Yellow Belt
- Green Belt
- Yellow & Green Belt
- Black Belt
White Belt
The White Belt is the introductory level of the internationally recognised Lean Six Sigma certification. It is the perfect first step in your new career journey.
As part of this half-day online course, you will be given a basic overview of Lean methodology and find out how to improve business processes and how to run innovation projects in your company.
The course is suitable for all those who want to learn more about Lean methodology and who want to learn how to use basic Lean methods in their work.
The course will help you to:
- Explore Lean methodology – you will find out how to redesign processes and run innovation projects in companies,
- Learn practical methods – you will have a chance to practice 3 methods used in innovation projects on real-life cases,
- Work online with like-minded individuals – you will get to know people on similar career paths and build understanding together,
- Develop Lean mindset – you will explore the philosophy of the Lean way of doing things, which will help you boost your innovation projects and even your personal productivity.
Upon completing the course you will get an international White Belt certificate that proves you have an understanding of the Lean basics.
Details:
Date: 30 October 2024
Тime: 10:00 - 12:30 EET
Language: English
Format: Interactive online workshop
Price: Free of charge
CPD points: 3
Yellow Belt
The Yellow-Belt course is a two-day interactive course that will introduce you to the basic features and benefits of Lean Six Sigma methodology and will guide you through the different phases of the DMAIC process – Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control.
The course is suitable for project team members and for all those who want to learn more about the basic principles and benefits of the Lean Six Sigma methodology in an interactive and effective way.
After completing this course you will:
- Understand the basic principles, tools and benefits of implementing the Lean Six Sigma concept,
- Understand the basic kinds of waste (Defects, Overproduction, Waiting, Un-Utilised Talent; Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Over-processing),
- Take part in a simulation game to understand the effects of variability and waste,
- Get a basic overview of a Lean Six Sigma improvement project structure (DMAIC – define, measure, analyse, implement, control),
- Adopt basic tools for Lean Sig Sigma improvement projects.
Upon completing this course, you will receive a Yellow Belt certificate.
Details:
Date: 21 - 22 November 2024
Тime: 10:00 - 18:00 EET
Language: English
Format: Interactive online workshop
Price: 660 EUR excl. VAT
CPD points: 14
Green Belt
The Green Belt is a six-day interactive course linked to the basic Yellow-Belt course. The programme will allow you to gain deeper theoretical and practical skills in Lean Six Sigma. This training is held in the form of sessions separated by a few weeks. In between these sessions, you will work individually on your project and share your practical experience during the training sessions.
The course is suitable for people from across industries and will be appreciated especially by project managers and project team members who work on more challenging projects.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Seek out opportunities and lead medium-scale Lean Six Sigma projects, to lead a project team and carry out real benefits,
- Utilise a wide range of tools for the individual phases of the DMAIC cycle (define, measure, analyse, improve, control),
- Avoid frequent difficulties and understand what steps need to be taken for a project to be successful,
- Learn how to understand “the voice of the client”, to transform his requirements into a company process model and, last but not least, systematically eliminate features not bringing value to your clients,
- Learn to utilise basic Lean Six Sigma statistical methods for process capability calculations and to interpret outputs and control charts correctly,
- Map processes at more levels,
- Manage to create a Lean Six Sigma project plan and communicate it correctly with all parties involved,
- Learn how to draw up projects, that will contribute and be sustainable in the long term.
After attending the course, presenting your project at the end of the course, and taking the final test, you will receive a Green Belt certificate.
Yellow & Green Belt
For those of you who would like to have a Green Belt level but have not yet got the Yellow-Belt certificate, we have prepared a special offer. Now you have the opportunity to take the Yellow Belt in a shortened one-day course compared to the classic two-day training and to continue the Green Belt immediately. Upon successful completion of the Yellow & Green-Belt training, you will receive certificates for both levels.
It is necessary to attend the whole seven-day Yellow & Green-Belt programme (the one-day version of Yellow Belt cannot be attended separately). To get the Yellow Belt certificate, you have to attend the course, for the Green Belt certificate you have to attend the course, present a standalone project and pass the final test.
Details:
Dates:
• 09, 16, 23 & 30 October 2024
• 06 & 13 November 2024
• 11 December 2024
Тime: 10:00 - 18:00 EET
Language: English
Format: Interactive online workshop
Price: 1615 EUR excl. VAT
CPD: 49 points
Black Belt
The Black Belt is a ten-day interactive course that provides a sophisticated integration of Lean techniques into Six-Sigma methodology, combining two progressive management approaches into one strong business strategy. The content of the training is continuously adapted to meet the current requirements and needs of the manufacturing sector, administration and services. Our Black Belt course is very practical oriented. We will provide you with skills and methods that we teach our consultants ourselves and that we actually use on our clients' projects.
The course is suitable for project managers addressing the company's major problems, middle and top management of companies and all of those who want to lead the research teams using the DMAIC methodology.
Basic knowledge: Customer Voice, 8 Waste Types, SIPOC, Kano Model, 5S, Ishikawa Diagram, Process Mapping, OEE Calculation, Process Flow.
Participants must demonstrate Lean Six Sigma Green Belt qualification prior to participation. If necessary, we can organise a two-day Green Belt refresher to repeat basic concepts and methods before the Black Belt.
Why to apply for Black Belt course:
- Throughout this course you will work either individually or in teams on projects that aim to implement innovative solutions with a benefit of at least 1 million CZK per year. As a result, a high return on the initial investment in training is expected,
- You will master the techniques and methods through simulation games and exercises,
- The course is based on real and comprehensible examples rather than boring lectures, theoretical concepts, and unnecessarily complex statistics,
- Training focusses on systematically preparing future executives in companies to be responsible for Lean Six Sigma innovation projects.
After attending the course, presenting your project at the end of the course, and taking the final test, you will receive a Black Belt certificate.
Details:
Dates:
• 9 & 10 January 2025
• 6 & 7 February 2025
• 6 & 7 March 2025
• 3 & 4 & 24 April 2025
• 2 May 2025
Тime: 10:00 - 18:00 EET
Language: English
Format: Interactive online workshop
Price: 2335 EUR excl. VAT
CPD points: 70
Why study Lean Six Sigma with PwC Academy?
Internationally recognised certification
After completing our Lean courses, you will receive an internationally recognised certification, which does not need to be renewed.
Professionalism & recognition
Lean Six Sigma certification will make you more attractive to employers in any industry.
Experienced tutors
Our tutors rank among the best lecturers in the area of innovations and future skills and have extensive experience and professional knowledge.
Solution to your business case study
Throughout the hands-on courses, you will look for a solution to your real-life business problem.
Project templates
You will get a set of project templates that PwC consultants use when working on their innovation and transformation projects.
Practical & interactive courses
During the interactive courses, you will discover innovative solutions together with other experienced professionals participating in the training.
Take your innovation skills to the next level
Process Improvement
AI in Lean Six Sigma
Lean Culture
Build your own Lean team
Black Belts are typically programme managers, innovation leads, trainers, coaches, some top managers and project managers of more demanding projects.
Green Belts are typically project managers, workstream leaders and team members of more challenging projects. Typically 5–10% of the employees.
Yellow Belts are project teams members and company general population. Typically 20% or more of the employees.
We offer open courses or as tailor-made Lean Six Sigma trainings.
What is the difference between them?
Open courses
- You will get familiar with best practices from other companies,
- You will have opportunity to share your experience with other course participants from different business fields and industries,
- In order to satisfy needs of all course participants, the open courses cover wide range of Lean techniques and principles – after finishing the training, you will have broad knowledge of Lean Six Sigma approach.
Taloir-made trainings
- We tailor the training to the needs and expectations of your company,
- Throughout the course, you will work with your colleagues on a real business case study from your company,
- After the course, we can provide you with follow-up paid consultations or consulting services in order to help you implement Lean Six Sigma to you business.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
What level of Lean Six Sigma course is the right choice for me (Yellow, Green, Black Belt)?
Yellow-Belt courses will introduce you to the Lean way of thinking and to the basic methods of Lean Six Sigma. They are designed specifically for team members working on innovative projects.
Green-Belt courses are designed for future project managers of innovative projects. You will learn to deliver an innovative project from A to Z – from searching for opportunities, setting KPIs, collecting and evaluating data, implementing improvements up to team management and change management within the company and evaluating the benefits of the project. You will also get an overview of digital transformation methods and tools.
Black-Belt courses are designed for project managers who are responsible for larger projects or for the digital transformation in a company, for managers at all levels and for all those who devote themselves to process innovation on a full-time basis. The course focusses mainly on managerial skills related to process innovation, deeper understanding of data, management of larger implementations and an evaluation of financial and non-financial benefits for the company.
What positions are the courses suitable for?
Yellow-Belt courses are attended by employees from across the company. Green-Belt courses are usually attended by managers at all levels, project managers, future project managers, as well as junior employees who plan to get involved in innovation projects. Also, people who already have experience with innovative projects and want to deepen their knowledge, apply to attend the Black-Belt courses.
Which companies are the courses suitable for?
Our participants come from both large international companies and small and medium-sized enterprises. Most participants come from non-production areas. The courses are also often attended by start-up and freelance consultants and project managers.
Is it possible to attend the Yellow Belt and Green Belt at the same time?
Yes. If you sign up for both levels at the same time, you will get a better price and you will save your time because in this case the Yellow Belt is shortened to one day. But don't worry, you will not lose any knowledge (even though the course is shorter).
What do I need to do to get a Lean Six Sigma certificate?
You have to attend at least 80% of all sessions to complete the course. For Green-Belt certification, it is necessary to pass a test and to present a project from your company. For Black Belt, in addition to the attendance (80%) and the final test, you need to prove that you have at least one year of experience in managing innovation projects. In addition to that, you have to demonstrate that you have led a project that has resulted in a quantified financial benefit for the company. You have one year after the end of the course to deliver the documentation that proves that these criteria have been met.
Do I have to pass the exam outside of PwC?
No. The price of all courses includes passing the exam directly at PwC and issuing an internationally recognised certificate.
Does the certificate need to be renewed regularly?
No. Lean Six Sigma certificates from PwC are lifelong and do not have to be renewed.
What if I fail the exam?
You can resit the exam twice. In very exceptional cases, when the participants fail even after the second attempt, it is possible to purchase additional attempts.
What project do I have to deliver as part of the exam?
You do not have to deliver a project for the Yellow-Belt course. During the Green-Belt course, you work on a project in your company and our consultants help you with it. At the end of the course, you present your project, and it is not necessary to implement and evaluate all the proposed changes from the project before you finish the course.
In case of the Black-Belt course, you work on your project during the course and use the help of our consultants. To obtain certification, the project needs to be implemented and its results quantified and quantified. You have one year after the end of the course to implement and evaluate the project.
How many people can participate in a course?
There is a maximum 15 participants. The usual size of the group is 10-12 participants.
I am an individual or a small group. Can I apply?
Yes. You can sign up for open courses where you will cooperate with participants from other companies, and you will have the opportunity to expand your professional contacts and exchange know-how with professionals from various business fields.
We are a larger group from one company. Can you organise the course only for us?
Yes. We often run tailor-made courses for individual companies. We can conduct the course on the premises of PwC or on the premises of your company. In case you want to involve colleagues from other countries and limit traveling abroad, we can also organise an online course for you.
What is the format and language of the course?
All courses are available in either an online or face-to-face format, both in Czech and English. Black-Belt courses are held only in English; however, in case of tailor-made courses, it is possible to organise them in Czech as well.
What does the online format of the course look like?
The main advantage of the online course is that you can participate in this course from anywhere, and you can even invite your colleagues from other countries to join the course without the need to travel. It's not only a lecture session; even in an online course, you cooperate most of the time in a team, you try out different methods and work on case studies or work directly on a project under the guidance of a lecturer.
If you prefer a face-to-face course (instead of an online course), this option is definitely also available.
How long does the course last?
The Yellow-Belt course contains two training days, the Green Belt six days and the Black belt 10 days. For open courses, the days are always in two-day blocks (Thursday-Friday) with an interval of 2-3 weeks. With the online course, the course always takes place one day a week, for example, Green Belt takes place every Wednesday for six weeks. In the case of private courses at your company, we will completely adapt to your time schedule.
Aren't the courses too production-oriented?
They are not. Although we mention some production principles, 95% of course participants come from non-production areas - shared services, finance, IT, telecommunications, etc.
Aren't there too many statistics in the course?
No. Our Lean Six Sigma courses are highly practical. We pass the skills and methods on to you that we teach our consultants and that we actually use on our clients' projects. During a Green-Belt course, our goal is to teach you how to understand data and perform basic analysis in Excel so that you can make decisions based on data.
What software tools will we use?
We use the tools available to participants; there is no need to purchase additional software licenses. To map the process, participants can use, for example, Visio, Lucidchart, Diagrams.net or Excel or Powerpoint (Excel for data analysis). It is possible to try basic versions of other tools, such as Celonis for process mining, or PowerAutomate, UIPath community edition and others.
Will I learn to work with Minitab in the course?
We do not work with Minitab in our courses. Minitab is specialised software used mainly in the area of production quality. A single-user license costs thousands of euros and its use in the non-production area is very limited. We will teach you how to perform all the necessary data analyses in Excel. During a Black-Belt course, those interested can try data analysis in Python.
Tutors
Veronika Balasičová
Veronika worked for PwC Advisory Slovakia for 8 years as a management consultant. She focuses on providing strategic consulting services for major business clients. During her career, she gained a lot of experience not only in the field of consulting, but also in the automotive, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. Since 2020, she is active mainly in the project management area.
Jiří Benedikt
Jiří is a future-skills trainer and a management consultant with more than ten years of experience in innovation and improvement projects. He has worked on Lean transformations for companies in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, France and Russia. These projects have led to positive benefits and savings in millions of euros. In the past, he worked as a CEO of a start-up company in Prague, where he led innovative product and process projects using the Design Thinking methodology.
Jan Stejskal
Jan is a member of the British Coaches Association CIPD and Belbin® Team Roles Distribution, and he is a consultant in sales, manufacturing and service improvement and innovation. He specialises in human capital development, productivity, and process efficiency. He has extensive experience in leading educational courses and has worked on many projects in finance, manufacturing, retail and telecommunications industries.
Roman Bauer
Roman worked for PwC as a consultant and team manager in consulting, where he worked on extensive change management projects for large and medium-sized companies. After leaving PwC, he enriched his experience as a freelancer and participated in international projects that led to transformation of companies. Since 2017, he has been working for the Swedish global company SKF as a Lean manager and digitisation coordinator.
Daniel Srch
Daniel studied history at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, where he obtained a Ph.D. degree. He published the results of his research in a number of studies, including two monographs. Since 2017, he has been working in the private sector, where he has held several different positions. Since 2019 he has been fully dedicated to setting up, optimizing and improving business processes using the Lean Six Sigma methodology. In addition, he deals with data analysis and automation.
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Veronika Balasičová
Veronika worked for PwC Advisory Slovakia for 8 years as a management consultant. She focuses on providing strategic consulting services for major business clients. During her career, she gained a lot of experience not only in the field of consulting, but also in the automotive, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. Since 2020, she is active mainly in the project management area.
Jiří Benedikt
Jiří is a future-skills trainer and a management consultant with more than ten years of experience in innovation and improvement projects. He has worked on Lean transformations for companies in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, France and Russia. These projects have led to positive benefits and savings in millions of euros. In the past, he worked as a CEO of a start-up company in Prague, where he led innovative product and process projects using the Design Thinking methodology.
Jan Stejskal
Jan is a member of the British Coaches Association CIPD and Belbin® Team Roles Distribution, and he is a consultant in sales, manufacturing and service improvement and innovation. He specialises in human capital development, productivity, and process efficiency. He has extensive experience in leading educational courses and has worked on many projects in finance, manufacturing, retail and telecommunications industries.
Roman Bauer
Roman worked for PwC as a consultant and team manager in consulting, where he worked on extensive change management projects for large and medium-sized companies. After leaving PwC, he enriched his experience as a freelancer and participated in international projects that led to transformation of companies. Since 2017, he has been working for the Swedish global company SKF as a Lean manager and digitisation coordinator.
Daniel Srch
Daniel studied history at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, where he obtained a Ph.D. degree. He published the results of his research in a number of studies, including two monographs. Since 2017, he has been working in the private sector, where he has held several different positions. Since 2019 he has been fully dedicated to setting up, optimizing and improving business processes using the Lean Six Sigma methodology. In addition, he deals with data analysis and automation.
