Recently was asked a common question by hiring managers:

"How would you select the best candidate for your requirement?

With the current economic crisis, Companies are aggressively focused to continuously improve their operations in becoming Lean with a lot of cost reduction programs. The talents they prefer are mostly with Lean or Six Sigma background. If you would weigh the strength of the candidate, would you hire a person with his expertise is more on Lean or 6 Sigma? Why?

Most of the expert practitioners are certified or has an extensive project exposure on implementing Lean or 6 Sigma. How would you assess that the person is good in his field of expertise and can deliver the best result amongst other candidates?"

Here's my response, and while variation exists amonst the various belts, these are what most leaders are measuring solid skill levels:

I recommend a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB) or Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CLSSMBB).

Experience for CLSSBB should include:
- 4-5 week classroom Instruction
- Min 1.5 years as full time BB; 2 yrs preferred
- Passed Exam with Certificate - they can produce the certificate
- Min 5 completed BB projects; where 10+ is preferred
- Min 5 led Kaizen events; where 10+ is preferred
- Education should be at BS degree; where Masters is preferred
- Green Belt coach - Projects coached should be min 10; 20 preferred
- White Belt/Yellow Belt/Green Belt training as a co-lead min; and as lead preferred. Class size should be 10-30 and they should have a min of 2 waves under their belt; 4+ preferred
- DFSS Training of 1-2 week min + 1 project min (3-5 preferred) optional but preferred
- Tool/method experience should include: Charters; Value Stream Mapping; Measurement System Analysis; Statistical analysis (regression/gage R&R/Anova/Chi-Sq/Control Charts/Process Capability/5s/Cause and effect diagram/Pareto/Setup Reduction/Pull systems/ work control systems/standardize work/Kanban/control plans/team effectiveness/layout design/DOE/takt rate
-Should be able to produce project case studies that show operational and $ results; various functional expertise (cross-functional preferred)

Experience for CLSSMBB should include:
- all of the above for BB + min 2 MBB projects (large/complex); 5 preferred
- Minimum 1 wave of BB training as co-lead + 1 wave as lead; 3-5 BB waves led preferred
- Demonstrated skills in curriculum development
- Coached a minimum of 10 BB thru project completion (20+ preferred)
- Min 2 years in MBB role; 5+ preferred
- Experience in Project Identification; Selection; and Prioritization workshops
- Led 5+ Kaizen as MBB; 15+ preferred
- Tools/Methods: SMED; Replenishment Pull; Simulation; Deep understanding of statistical tools/ various software experience (Minitab/IGrafx/JMP/crystal ball/risk/etc...)/Tollgate experience; Deployment Plans; Metric report-outs; Leadership experience
- Can produce certification of passed MBB exam
- Training includes an additional 4-6 weeks as MBB

Warm Regards,

Steven Bonacorsi, MBB / Vice President
http://www.linkedin.com/in/StevenBonacorsi
603-401-7047
Skype: sbonacorsi
sbonacorsi@comcast.net
http://xonitek.com/docs/XSCMain.asp

Please add your comments to my opinion above as well as any builds to the measuring stick of the Lean Six Sigma Certifications and Standand.s