How to Identify and Select a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

[Steven Bonacorsi]

Lean Six Sigma Black Belts (BB's) are most often referred to as Change
Agents and there is no doubt that the their role is a leadership
position within an organization. They are are full-time Lean Six Sigma
project team leaders responsible for implementing process improvement
projects DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) or DFLSS
(Design for Lean Six Sigma) within the business. They're knowledgeable
and highly skilled in the use of the Lean Six Sigma methodologies and
tools, as well as facilitation and change management, and lead subject
matter experts to increase customer satisfaction levels and business
productivity.

They have typically completed four weeks or 160 hours of Lean Six
Sigma training, and have demonstrated mastery of the subject matter
through the completion of project(s) (usually a minimum of 2 projects)
and an exam (usually a pass of 80%). BB's coach Green Belts and
receive coaching and support from Master Black Belts (MBB). It is
generally expected that a Black Belt will move into a MBB or
significant business role after the BB's assignment is completed in 18
months to three years.

Six Sigma Black Belt Qualities

What should you look for in your Black Belt? Here is my personal top
ten list. Notice that I bulleted the list instead of numbering. This
was done on purpose, as a numbered list usually indicates that one
point might be more valuable than another. In this case, all ten
qualities are considered essential and should have equal weighting.

Customer Advocacy - They should readily communicate the understanding
that customers are always the recipients of processes, and that
customers (internal or external) are always the final judge of product
or service quality. Understanding customer needs is the key to process
improvement. Hence, a Black Belt candidate should speak clearly about
how eliminating process variation is a key to business improvement.

Passion - No cold fish are welcomed in Lean Six Sigma. They must be
self-motivated, have initiative, and have a positive personality. At
times they are expected to be a cheerleader, to pick up the team and
help them move forward productively. Passion also gives them fortitude
to persevere, even when the going may get tough on a project.

Change Leadership - They have demonstrated performance as a change
agent in the past, regardless of their job duties. During the
interview, ask them how they challenged the status quo in their last
role. They didn't?...well, they may not be the right person for your
Black Belt position. Changing the organization and how business is
accomplished may upset employees. Change agents and change leaders
have a way of accomplishing positive change while engendering support
for the change.

Communication - They are effective communicators, which is essential
for the many roles they serve (trainers, coaches, and mentors). Black
Belts should be able understandably speak to all audiences (from shop
floor employees to executive management). Understanding the various
needs of audience members and tailoring the message to address their
concerns is the mark of an effective communicator. Once a Black Belt
has these qualities, creating Power Point presentation slides (a
requirement in corporate America, right?) is a snap.

Business Acumen - They are business leaders, not the quality managers
of the past. As such, they should have business knowledge and the
ability to display the linkage between projects and desired business
results. How is a project making the company stronger competitively
and financially? You can ask questions during the interview to
determine if the Black Belt candidates have made this connection in
their prior roles.

Project Management - Lean Six Sigma is accomplished one project at a
time. We should not lose sight of the fact that they must manage
projects from scope, requirements, resources, timeline, and variance
perspectives. Knowledge of project management fundamentals and
experience managing projects are essential.

Technical Aptitude - The BB need not be an engineering or statistical
graduate, but in some cases this is beneficial -- provided the other
top ten qualities listed are also present. In all cases, a Black Belt
is required to collect and analyze data for determining an improvement
strategy. Without some technical aptitude (computer/software literacy
and analytical skills) the Belt will be frustrated in this role.

Team Player and Leader - They must possess the ability to lead, work
with teams, be part of a team, and understand team dynamics (forming,
storming, norming, performing). In order to effectively lead a team, a
Black Belt must be likeable, get along with people, have good
influencing skills, and motivate others.

Result Oriented - They are expected to perform and produce tangible
financial results for the business. They must be hard working and
quick to demonstrate success.

Fun - They should enjoy their jobs if they are passionate about them.
By having fun, you encourage others to do the same.

Qualities that did not Make The Top Ten (But Are Important)

Trust and Integrity - These are requirements and are not negotiable.

Deep Process Knowledge - Lean Six Sigma involves having a team of
subject matter experts working to eliminate defects and improve a
process. Obviously, someone on the team must have a deep knowledge of
the process being investigated. This does not have to be the Black
Belt, but it can be.

Been There - Done That - Sometimes a team gives credibility to a Black
Belt that has "been through it." When the team is forming, this can
help accelerate the acceptance of the Black Belt, but it's not a
requirement.

Knows Lean, Six Sigma, ISO, TQM, etc. - Remember, you are building
your business leadership pipeline one Black Belt at a time. Having a
specific and detailed knowledge of Lean Six Sigma is not a
prerequisite -- they will go through training; having the top ten list
of qualities for a Black Belt (listed above) is.

Diverse Work Experience - This will enable the BB to appreciate more
than just one aspect of a process improvement project. For example, if
a Black Belt is fresh out of a statistics college program, she or he
is likely to predominantly utilize newly acquired skills and tools.
Black Belts with a diverse background can appreciate projects and
issues more holistically.

A Degree - While having a degree supports the idea that a person has
developed independent thinking skills, not having a degree does not
imply that the Black Belt candidate does not have independent thinking
skills. This quality is very debatable as I have seen excellent Black
Belts with and without degrees.

If you are hiring a Black Belt versus selecting and developing on from
the inside, I would suggest the following attributes are the most
critical in selecting the right candidate.

Team Facilitating - Build a successful and cohesive team using
development tools, resources, training, goals, performance measures
and a flexible interpersonal style. Ability to effectively facilitate
the completion of team goals.

Problem Solving - Identify present and potential troublesome
situations and their causes. Investigate to a level that reveals total
impact of the situation. Identify trends and patterns and develop
measures to solve or prevent repeat occurrence.

Process Orientation - Ability to understand customer requirements,
define and understand processes, and their effectiveness, efficiency
and adaptability. Black Belts have the ability to take a systematic
view of activities from a broad perspective. Experts in analyzing
processes and establishing a vision for optimization.

Change Facilitation - Encourage individuals to seek opportunities for
different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and
opportunities. Facilitate the implementation and acceptance of change
within the workplace.

Communication Skills - Convey or absorb information and ideas through
a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages
an audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

Computer Knowledge - Understands and uses the basic office tools
available on a personal computer. Can do basic word processing,
spreadsheets, e-mails, presentations and web browsing.

Program and Project Management - Identify customers, deliverables,
project scope, plan and resources. Black Belts are skilled in removing
obstacles, while make decisions that keep the team focused on meeting
the quality, cost and timeliness goals.

Analyze Costs and ROI - Utilize cost analysis methods and procedures
to determine resource allocations and evaluate alternatives in shop
and office areas. Black Belts use established principles and
practices, gather data, interpret information, and explain fluctuating
elements and risks in investments.


Steven Bonacorsi is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
instructor and coach. He has trained thousands of Master Black Belts,
Black Belts, Green Belts, Project Sponsors and Executive Leaders in
Lean Six Sigma DMAIC and Design for Lean Six Sigma process improvement
methodologies.

Author for the Process Excellence Network (PEX Network / IQPC)

Process Excellence Network
Steven Bonacorsi, President of International Standard for Lean Six
Sigma (ISLSS)
Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
47 Seasons Lane
Londonderry, NH 03053
Phone: +(1) (603) 401-7047
E-mail: sbona...@islss.com
Process Excellence Network: http://bit.ly/n4hBwu

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