Lean Six Sigma Training and Certification FAQ

Lean and Six Sigma are two separate methodologies that can be combined for better process results.

Both Lean and Six Sigma share the same general purpose: to give the customer the best possible quality, at the lowest cost and in the shortest time.

The two methodologies approach this common purpose from slightly different angles: Lean focuses on reducing waste, while Six Sigma emphasises reducing variation.

In Greek, Lean management is usually called Λιτή διαχείριση (lití diacheírisi), although in our view the more accurate term is Απέριττη διαχείριση (apéritti diacheírisi). It also matches the ancient Greek word απίσχναση (apíschnasi).

απέριττος [apéritos]: having nothing superfluous, nothing more than what is needed.

λιτός [litós]: 1. (of a person) content with little, simple. 2. simple, without abundance or luxury. 3. (fig.) plain, unadorned, without ornament.

απίσχναση: from από + ισχνός (thin, lean), meaning slimming down, making lean.

There are several levels, depending on your role in the organisation and how much you work with the methodology.

The most widely used levels are:

• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

The Lean Six Sigma path follows levels: Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt and Master Black Belt. Each level builds on the previous one.

Lean uses tools such as Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, SMED, Poka-Yoke and Gemba. Six Sigma uses the DMAIC methodology with tools such as SIPOC, Pareto, the Ishikawa diagram, FMEA, MSA, SPC, capability analysis, hypothesis testing and DOE. Tools are taught according to the level (Yellow, Green, Black Belt).

Lean is for everything! It is, we would say, a culture and philosophy that applies to every sector of our daily lives.

With Lean. Call us and we will guide you.

Unfortunately there is no single official international certification body. The most important bodies certifying Lean Six Sigma knowledge are ASQ (American Society for Quality), IASSC (International Association for Six Sigma Certification), the International Lean Six Sigma Institute (iLSSi) and The Council for Six Sigma Certification.

ASQ is a global community of people passionate about quality, active since 1946. By making quality a global priority, an organisational imperative and a personal ethic, ASQ is the community for everyone who seeks quality concepts, technology or tools to improve themselves and their world.

Through its local communities it supports and promotes quality with methods, ideas and tools that help businesses, organisations and communities work better.

It offers knowledge, professional training and professional certification to individuals and companies.

The ASQ Local Chapter Greece today counts more than sixty (60) senior executives of organisations who work in some of the best-known international and Greek companies in the country.

In May 2015 the ASQ Local Member Community in Greece was formalised within ASQ’s organisational structure, becoming the first formalised ASQ local member community in Europe.

In 2016 the first student branch in Europe was founded at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

You too can become a member of the international and the local ASQ community, as a student, a company or an individual.

The International Association for Six Sigma Certification is a professional association dedicated to developing and strengthening Lean Six Sigma standards. IASSC is an independent third-party Lean Six Sigma certification body that does not provide training or consulting, which protects the integrity of its exams. IASSC focuses exclusively on Lean Six Sigma certification and on accrediting organisations.

The Council for Six Sigma Certification is an internationally recognised accreditation body, founded with the aim of creating a set of standards that help training providers and institutions worldwide teach effective, practical Six Sigma courses. Greece Lean Six Sigma is an accredited partner of the Council.

The International Lean Six Sigma Institute (ILSSI) is an independent British Lean Six Sigma certification body based in the United Kingdom. It certifies professionals at every Belt level and accredits training organisations against strict quality criteria. Greece Lean Six Sigma is an ILSSI accredited training centre, so our programmes lead to internationally recognised ILSSI certification in Greece, Cyprus and Europe.

Yes. Our courses include all the Bodies of Knowledge, so you can sit the exam of your choice.

That depends on your business needs and the maturity of your organisation. Contact us and we will guide you.

ASQ, IASSC and CSSC exams are in English, while iLSSi offers the Yellow Belt exam in Greek.

IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt™

• BoK:


• Define phase


• Measure phase


• Control phase


• Exam Duration: 2 hours, 60 multiple, english


• Pass score: 580 / 750 points (78%)


• Exam Format: online  or paper based


• Recertification required: Yes, every three years, is a 30 question, closed book, proctored exam with a 1 hour allotted time.

• BoK:


• Six Sigma Fundamentals


• Define phase


• Measure Phase


• Analyze Phase


• Improve and Control Phase


• Exam Duration: 2,5 hours


• Exam Format: 85 multiple-choice questions.


• Recertification required: No

IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt™

• BoK:


• Define phase


• Measure phase


• Analyse phase


• Improve phase


• Control phase


• Exam Duration: 3 hours, 100 multiple, english


• Pass score: 580 / 750 points (78%)


• Exam Format: online  or paper based


• Recertification required: Yes, every three years, is a 50 question, closed book, proctored exam with a 1,5 hour allotted time.

ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSgB)

• BoK:


• Six Sigma Organisation


• Define phase


• Measure Phase


• Analyze Phase


• Improve and Control Phase


• Exam Duration: 4,5 hours


• Exam Format: 110 multiple-choice questions.


• Recertification required: No


• Education and / or Experience: 3  years of work experience, Educational waivers are not granted.

Courses are taught in Greek, and can be delivered in English or Spanish if you wish.

The accredited training material for programs that prepare you for Lean Six Sigma certification, and the presentations for those programs, are in English.

That depends on your own pace and your experience with the methodology. As a general guide, for every hour of training you need another 2 hours of study.

In Lean Six Sigma the syllabus is cumulative: to sit the Green Belt exam you also need to know the Yellow Belt material. The same applies to Black Belt, where you need to know all the material of the previous levels well.

We follow the certification body’s Body of Knowledge faithfully and make no compromises on depth. Our goal is that you leave confident in what you have learned and able to apply the methodology at work.

Of course! At the first level we focus on the culture and philosophy of Lean Six Sigma, not so much on statistical analysis.

That always depends on how much you work with the methodology and its tools in your daily work.

Our experience shows that the ideal is to continue within the next two months, so you have time to study the material well and, of course, to start a project with your team.

When you join Green Belt, we would like you to present the Define phase of your project. If you are not working at the moment, you can choose a hypothetical project.

Yes, if you have at least 80 hours of training across the two previous levels and have completed a Lean Six Sigma project.

We follow an interactive learning approach, using gamification and simulations, turning training from a dull transfer of information into an enjoyable, interactive learning experience.

Master Black Belt is the highest level in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. A Master Black Belt has the right knowledge and experience to train and guide you.

A Master Black Belt is responsible for a portfolio of improvement projects and for deploying Lean Six Sigma in organisations, and is fully dedicated to it.

Our trainers are Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belts with 25 years of experience in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. We are IASSC Accredited Training Associates, qualified to deliver training across Europe.

That depends on the team and the project goals. Typically a Yellow Belt project takes about 3 months, a Green Belt project 6 months and a Black Belt project 12 months.

We can provide all the support you need to deliver your project, and to prepare your organisation for implementing Lean and/or Six Sigma.

Lean Six Sigma builds on quality management systems.

Both approaches are based on the process approach and use the Deming cycle (PDCA) at their core.

Yes. There are currently 12, but only ISO 18404:2015 is auditable. The main ones are:

ISO 13053:2011 Part 1 Quantitative methods in process improvement: Six Sigma, DMAIC methodology

ISO 13053:2011 Part 2 Quantitative methods in process improvement: Six Sigma, tools and techniques

ISO 17258:2015 Statistical methods: Six Sigma, basic criteria underlying benchmarking for Six Sigma in organisations

ISO 18404:2015 Quantitative methods in process improvement: Six Sigma, competencies for key personnel and their organizations in relation to Six Sigma and Lean implementation

ISO/TR 16705:2016 Statistical methods for implementation of Six Sigma: selected illustrations of contingency table analysis

Yes, it is fully compatible.

In this video, EFQM Board Members talk about it.

If you want to read more, download this article on Lean Six Sigma and EFQM from here.

Yes, of course. Greece Lean Six Sigma has extensive experience in in-house training. Every topic presented on our website can be delivered for your own staff only. Call us on +30 231 231 5681 to discuss your team’s real learning needs and design a program that meets your requirements.

No, it is not.

Online courses and programs have structure and learning objectives, and your performance is assessed in several ways, such as tests and assignments.

Even your participation in class is assessed through the live sessions.

An online program can be just as demanding as a classroom program, or even more so, as it requires computer skills, excellent writing and reading comprehension, self-regulation and the will to work independently while remaining part of the team.

Remember that you lead the learning process, not the trainer, whose role is mainly that of a guide.

People who prefer online learning:

• Are highly motivated to learn and grow professionally and personally
• Manage their time efficiently
• Are more independent and want control of their learning
• Prefer to choose where and when they access the course

• Are motivated more by others, the trainer or fellow learners
• Perform better in a more structured environment
• Prefer more guidance from the trainer
• Want to attend at set times and days each week, in a set location

The experience and knowledge you gain in an online program, and the close relationships you build with fellow learners and trainers, will help you complete it successfully and reach your goals. You will gain valuable knowledge, develop critical thinking, recognise the benefits of collaboration and manage your time effectively by setting priorities carefully.

Through online and distance learning you will become familiar with the internet and its services, and become an independent, self-motivated learner, part of a close-knit team working hard towards learning.

You can complete your registration here.

There are many valuable articles and journals on the subject. The first step is to search Google Scholar. A good starting point is the International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, in particular these articles:

There are two ways to hear about our seminars:

• Subscribe to the free Greece Lean Six Sigma newsletter for weekly news on all our new programs and seminars.


• Follow us on social media