Six Sigma Roles Of Employees

By Author: John Nash
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Six Sigma methods and techniques normally use five key roles used for their implementation.

At the top level are the proponents of Six Sigma in the organizations who prepare the vision and do the much needed cost benefit analysis of implementing Six Sigma. They are the top executives and include the CEO, CFO and other senior most management. These persons are responsible for initiating the setup of a vision for the niche Six Sigma implementation.

The ‘Champions’ are the persons who are responsible for implementing the Six Sigma rollout across the whole organization under guidance of the top management. Champions usually act as mentors and help the Black Belts. They some times also called ‘Quality Leaders’.

The champions identify certain persons who are requited to received proper training and then become the master trainers in the organizations and hence the designation of ‘Master Black Belts’ is given to this level. These persons are full time devoted to Six Sigma in an organization.

Some of the persons ...
... with extreme expertise in any of the technical field are termed as ‘Experts’. These persons may work across various departments and sites and division spreading their expert knowledge.

Under the Master Black Belts operate the ‘Black Belts’ who apply Six Sigma techniques and methodologies for implementing of specific projects. They normally devote their full time to Six Sigma. Their main focus is on execution of Six Sigma projects, whereas Master Black Belts and Champions focus on identifying the projects/functions which need Six Sigma.

The employees who use a part of their time to implement Six Sigma along with their regular job and work responsibilities are the ‘Green Belts‘ are the employees who consider implementation of Six Sigma with other job requirements responsibilities which they have.

In most of the Six Sigma implementations the Black Belts and Green Belts are usually authorized to initiate or expand or lead projects of the area of their expertise and /or responsibility. The roles are not watertight and can be changed by the top management at will.
About Author:
John Nash writes on topics such as Six Sigma, DMAIC and DMAIC Visit Six Sigma Roles of Employees.