Six Sigma Master Black Belt: The Expert’s Expert

Posted on24. Apr, 2009 by carolesf.

Have you ever wondered what exactly a Master Black Belt does?  And how that differs from what a regular Six Sigma Black Belt does? 

I’ve got a really simple visual here to help make it clear:

 Think Yoda. 

Master Black Belt vs Master Yoda

The Six Sigma Master Black Belt trains Black Belts.  Often, he or she selects candidates for Black Belt training.  When a problem exceeds the skills and knowledge of regular Black Belts, they turn to the Master BB for guidance and help.  The Master Black Belt must take a broader view, with responsibility for the overall progress of Six Sigma in a given company. 

You have to admit, that’s a lot like what Yoda does for the Jedi Knights.  Well, okay, without the light saber.  (They’ve got some really fabulous spreadsheets and Powerpoint slides, though.)

Kidding aside, Master Black Belts are crucial players in the successful implementation of a company’s Six Sigma program.  They provide the overarching vision for the program.  They recruit, train, lead, and guide the Black Belts who will make an impact on their employer.  They help select and champion high-impact projects.  They are responsible for ensuring the integrity of statistical methods and tollgates. 

In other words, in a medium-to-large company, a successful Six Sigma program could not be implemented without them.  And they provide the leadership and expertise for most small-to-medium Six Sigma consulting and training companies.  

 How can you become a Master BB? 

 For starters, you’ll need to be a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.  Many (if not most) training companies require you to have led a minimum of three successful Six Sigma projects as a certified Black Belt before you may enter their MBB course. 

Why so picky?  Well, before you can be an effective consultant, solving the knottiest problems of other Black Belts, it’s pretty clear that you’ll need to have solved a fair number of problems of your own.  (Think Yoda again.  More experienced than Luke.)

In many large companies, certified Black Belts will work full-time on Six Sigma projects for eighteen months to three years.  Their companies may then sponsor them to pursue training as a Master Black Belt.  It is also possible to pursue Master-level training independently.  However, it is quite expensive; where training companies will even provide their prices on their websites, I couldn’t find any below $4,500.  Also, the on-line training programs, which have so helped to bring the cost within reach for Green Belts and Black Belts, have recently been rolled out at the MBB level through the Pyzdek Institute.

Master-level training involves more advanced statistical techniques than were taught in standard Black Belt training.  Also, additional training in Lean techniques may be provided, as well as in leadership skills and the art of being a successful change agent. 

All in all, the Master Black Belt holds a pretty substantial amount of responsibility in his or her hands.  But if you think you’re up to the challenge, you’ll also have the opportunity to make an equally substantial impact on your company, and on the careers of those you’ll lead.

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