Lean Six Sigma: Green Belt Sustainability Project

Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) via edX Professional Education

Overview

Every employee is involved in business processes to create products or services. The causes of decreasing customer satisfaction and increasing quality costs are often unknown, so derived solutions often only address symptoms. Six Sigma methods and tools enable a systematic solution of typical process problems and lead to sustainable operational excellence.

Go from Yellow to Green Belt in this project-based Lean Six Sigma course. With the TUM Yellow Belt, you have mastered the body of knowledge of our Green Belt (according to the American Society for Quality standards). Our Green Belt certification requires the implementation of a Six Sigma project (as recommended by the International Society of Six Sigma Professionals), just as the driving experience is necessary to obtain a driver’s license.

To earn the TUM Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, you will implement a predefined standard project on environmental littering. The goal: “Improve the cleanliness of areas around selected places in your hometown and control the sustainability of your measures.” This project topic supports the United Nations Sustainability Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. To reach this goal you will drive along the DMAIC, accompanied by a Master Black Belt as co-pilot. The route is determined by our navigation software (sigma guide). We will stop at every important sigma tool, which you will then apply in practice and document in a project storybook. This storybook will demonstrate the operational excellence of and in your work. (Please note: The implementation of company-specific, individually supported business projects for certification are not included in this edX/TUM course)

We will guide you through your improvement project. Each DMAIC phase concludes with a project review by a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. With the feedback on your achieved project results, we keep you on track before you start the next DMAIC phase. You will also participate in weekly live sessions online, where we will discuss the tools and logic of Six Sigma in-depth and answer any questions. The e-book for the course, Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Project, is included in the course price.

Green Belt Certification: Learners will be awarded the TUM Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification after completing this course and all of its requirements, including:

Previous acquisition of the TUM Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certificate,
Application of the sigma tools (sigma guide),
Documentation of the results in a project storybook,
Five graded reviews of the project storybook along with the DMAIC phases,
Participation in at least 10 open-online-sessions,
Delivery of the completed project storybook and the collected data.

Once a year we present the Environment Green Belt Award for the best Lean Six Sigma certification project. In addition to the basic certification criteria - a correctly implemented and documented project - an excellent project is required, with a project sponsor and a strong, sustainable reduction of litter at a local hotspot.

This course won the 2021 Runner-Up Award - Blended Learning - Academic Division 2021 of the International E-Learning Association (IELA)

Syllabus

Part 1: Introduction

Introduction to Six Sigma as a company-wide improvement program, based on a structured approach to linking reality, methods, and statistics.

Part 2: DEFINE

Identification and definition of a suitable Six Sigma project, structuring the project field in its core process steps (SIPOC), translating Voice of Customer (VoC) and Voice of Business (VoB) to CtQ’s as most important problems (Y), summarized in a Project-Charter for all stakeholders and supplemented by a stakeholder communication plan.

Part 3: MEASURE

Input-Analysis and Process-Mapping and -Analysis for identifying the triggering influences (x) of the problems (Y). Determination of the relationships between influences (x) and problems (Y) (C&E-Matrix), as the basis for deriving hypotheses. Operationalization of measurands for influences (x) and problems (Y) in a data collection plan, as the basis, to collect a sample of corresponding data.

Part 4: ANALYZE

Data evaluation and graphical display of data, representation of the process performance, in control charts and indices of the process capability, a test of hypotheses on the differences between problems (Y1 – Yn) and relationships between influences (x) and problems (Y) up to the analysis of root causes (fault tree).

Part 5: IMPROVE

Development and selection of solutions to eliminate, adjust or circumvent the root causes (x´), specification of solutions as measures, detection of their risks (FMEA), and development of countermeasures, hints for implementation.

Part 6: CONTROL

Data evaluation and graphical display of data, representation of the process performance, in control charts and indices of the process capability, a test of hypotheses on the differences (before vs. after), derivation of financial and non-financial benefits of the improvements, development of a Process-Management-Plan to control the improved process.

Part 7: Project Conclusion

Preparation of the lessons learned, completion of the Project-Story-Book, and review of this project documentation by our Master Black Belt for certification.

Learning is supported by:

* Videos: Animated application of all DMAIC tools in a sample project (43 lessons, 5:15h)

* sigma guide: Software for the implementation of Six Sigma projects (32 tools and charts)

* Methods and tools for process improvement (86 slides with the figures of this book)

* Statistics with Minitab (136 slides)

* Project-Story-Book: PowerPoint template for project documentation (60 slides)

* Project Guideline: Overview poster of all DMAIC phases and tools

* Weekly live online sessions for your questions and exchange with other learners.

* eBook: Hutwelker, R. (2019). Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Project – Identification, Implementation, Evaluation. Springer International Publishing

Taught by

Dr. Reiner Hutwelker, Holly Ott and Martin Grunow

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 23 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Lean Six Sigma: Green Belt Sustainability Project

Leonardo Rapussi

I recently completed the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Sustainability Project) course at the Technological University of Munich, and I am genuinely impressed with the depth and scope of this program. This course is a perfect blend of Lean Six Sigma met…

I recently completed the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Sustainability Project) course at the Technological University of Munich, and I am genuinely impressed with the depth and scope of this program. This course is a perfect blend of Lean Six Sigma methodologies and sustainability principles, which are becoming increasingly critical in today's business landscape.

The instructors and course materials were outstanding. The instructors not only had a wealth of knowledge in Lean Six Sigma but were also passionate about sustainability. Their guidance and support were invaluable throughout the course. The curriculum was comprehensive and provided a holistic understanding of how Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques can be applied to drive sustainable initiatives within organizations.

One of the highlights of this course was the practical project component. Being able to work on a sustainability project in a real-world setting allowed me to apply what I learned immediately. The project not only challenged me but also provided a sense of accomplishment as I witnessed tangible improvements in sustainability metrics.

The Technological University of Munich's commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the course, and it aligns perfectly with the growing global focus on environmental and social responsibility. This course equips professionals with the skills needed to lead sustainable change initiatives within their organizations.

In conclusion, the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Sustainability Project) course at the Technological University of Munich is a game-changer for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact on sustainability while optimizing processes. I am confident that the knowledge and experience gained from this program will be a valuable asset in my career, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to others seeking a similar path.
Anonymous

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Sustainability Project) online course at the Munich University of Technology was an incredibly enriching experience. This program offered an exceptional combination of theory and practical application, allowing me to…

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Sustainability Project) online course at the Munich University of Technology was an incredibly enriching experience. This program offered an exceptional combination of theory and practical application, allowing me to deepen my knowledge of Lean Six Sigma and sustainability.

One of the main reasons I enjoyed this course so much was the quality of the instructors (especially Dr. Reiner) and the teaching material. Teachers demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the subject and were able to communicate concepts in a clear and engaging way. Furthermore, the course content was up to date and aligned with best practices.

Another notable aspect was the emphasis on practical application. The course encourages students to work on real projects, which allowed me to immediately apply what I learned in the workplace. This is providing tangible value to my career.

The flexibility of the online format was also a positive point, as it allowed me to balance my studies with my schedule. Additionally, support from the administrative team and interactions with other students' projects enriched my learning experience.

In summary, the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (Sustainability Project) course at the Munich University of Technology exceeded my expectations. It not only expanded my knowledge of Lean Six Sigma and sustainability, but also equipped me with the skills needed to make a difference on real-world projects. I definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to improve their skills and knowledge in this area. It was a truly valuable learning journey.
Siham Amrani

Despite the fact I have a background in minin engineering, I got a position where i was responsible abou the quality control in a mining company, so i decided to start new career path so i decided to take the course Yellow and Green belt with TUM…

Despite the fact I have a background in minin engineering, I got a position where i was responsible abou the quality control in a mining company, so i decided to start new career path so i decided to take the course Yellow and Green belt with TUM via EDX because I felt i was the best compare to what i found online even with ASQ.

I completed the course on Lean Six Sigma including the Yellow Belt pre-course which focus more on the theory, while the following Green Belt certificate project is more to endorse thegained knowledge into practice via a standard (or business) related topic.

The instruction was excellent, so I did indeed learn how to apply the methods of Lean and Six Sigma. I also have a professional certification, which will help me in my professional career.

I liked the flexibility to work at my own pace and as my schedule allowed. I liked being able to pause or re-play instructional videos and read the lesson’s text as well. Although there were course handouts provided for each lesson, I prefer taking my own notes to better memorize.

I really enjoyed working with Dr Reiner and Holly Ott . they were always there to help and explain everything in simple way, where you can understand even if you are new to the field.

I highly recommend these two programs for every body who wants to give a push to his career path.

Thank you to all the team members who worked hard to offer a such outstanding programs.
Anonymous

I highly recommend this course! I was familiar with Six Sigma beforehand and have also done some projects where we followed the Six Sigma methods to some extent. So I decided to take this course and complete my knowledge of Six Sigma. But shortly a…

I highly recommend this course!

I was familiar with Six Sigma beforehand and have also done some projects where we followed the Six Sigma methods to some extent.
So I decided to take this course and complete my knowledge of Six Sigma.
But shortly after I started my course, I was amused by how well and professional this course is.
The quality of the course and Dr. Hutwelker's supervised project is far above the level of typical certificates.
Throughout the course, I had the opportunity to share all of my concerns and challenges with Dr.Hutwelker and it worked out great. So don't worry if you are unfamiliar with the concept or worried about how to apply the Six Sigma methodologies to your project, Dr.Hutwelker will ensure that you fully understand and apply the methods.

For example, Only in one of the phases, I had more than 3 sessions and he patiently taught me how to structure my thoughts and how to get the best results.

In addition to learning the Six Sigma methods, I also learned some basic concepts that have helped me to face the challenges much better prepared.

In addition to the course, Dr. Hutwelker has a weekly meeting with candidates and everyone in the Green Belt program can participate, there you can master your Green Belt and get to know other projects (standard projects) and compare yourself with others and learn from them with a great audit by Dr.Hutwelker

Before starting the green belt you will go through a six sigma yellow belt with Prof. Dr. Holly Ott. A series of informative and excellent videos in chapters prepare you for the six sigma green belt.

At the end:
It is an excellent course and I recommend it to everyone, in any position and level.
I am so privileged to be able to pass this course.
Pădureţu Claudiu Florin

Under the expert guidance of Professor Reiner, I completed a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification with a focus on sustainability projects. Professor Reiner infused each session with purpose, and his adept teaching style facilitated a deep understanding of how Lean Six Sigma principles can drive positive change. The sustainability project component was a highlight, allowing me to apply newfound knowledge to real-world challenges. Professor Reiner's mentorship not only equipped me with valuable skills but also instilled a sense of responsibility towards creating a more sustainable future. I highly recommend this certification program to anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact in their Lean Six Sigma skills.
M.Abubakar

Under the expert guidance of Professor Reiner, I completed a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification with a focus on sustainability projects. Professor Reiner infused each session with purpose, and his adept teaching style facilitated a deep understanding of how Lean Six Sigma principles can drive positive change. The sustainability project component was a highlight, allowing me to apply newfound knowledge to real-world challenges. Professor Reiner's mentorship not only equipped me with valuable skills but also instilled a sense of responsibility towards creating a more sustainable future. I highly recommend this certification program to anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact in their Lean Six Sigma skills.
Anonymous

Great course,

The content is very didactic and practical. It offers a structure and set of methods for standardised, problem definition, measurement, analysis, improvement and control.
It also allows a better understanding of the statistical, which is very useful when analysing data and corroborating or rejecting hypotheses.
The online classes are very practical to clarify doubts, and I also found it very practical that the classes are recorded and uploaded on the internet, so that you can watch them later in case you need them.
This methodology has allowed me to work in a structured way for problem analysis in my job.
One hundred percent recommended!
Anonymous

Dr. Reiner Hutwelker's Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Project course offers an exceptional learning experience. His expertise shines through clear instruction and real-world examples. The course structure is well-paced, covering the DMAIC framework thoroughly.

Moreover, the course material is meticulously structured, allowing for a seamless progression through each phase of the Lean Six Sigma methodology. From defining project scopes to conducting root cause analyses and implementing sustainable solutions, every aspect is covered in comprehensive detail. Overall, a highly recommended course for those seeking to enhance their process improvement skills.
Anonymous

Did the complete course on Lean Six Sigma including the Yellow Belt precourse which focus more on the body of knowledge and the basics, while the following Green Belt certificate project helps to facilitate the gained knowledge into practice via a s…

Did the complete course on Lean Six Sigma including the Yellow Belt precourse which focus more on the body of knowledge and the basics, while the following Green Belt certificate project helps to facilitate the gained knowledge into practice via a standard (or business) related topic. Overall I enjoyed the whole course but especially the Green Belt section is an highlight. Firstly the complete course and the DMAIC cycles are well supported by literature, videos and a lot of examples. Secondly the lectures and the supportive lecturer are the key for a successfull completion. Using MINITAB as an industry wide standard tool for analyzing is superb. In summary this course holds its promise and gives a deep understanding in Lean Six Sigma methodology. I would purchase this course again.
Anonymous

Dr. Reiner Hutwelker is a great teacher. He has guided us through the whole project, gave us advices and answered all our questions via weekly online course, emails and discussion platform. I have learnt a lot from the course and absolutely enjoyed it.
I highly recommend this course!
Anonymous

I first heard about Six Sigma and Lean from a coworker, and it picked my interest. I had been working with mining and mineral processing and then moved into a leadership role in the R&D department focused on product development and technical service…

I first heard about Six Sigma and Lean from a coworker, and it picked my interest. I had been working with mining and mineral processing and then moved into a leadership role in the R&D department focused on product development and technical service.

I loved the challenges, but despite my academic credentials and professional experience, I felt I didnt have the necessary skills to advance with my team. I thought the Lean Six Sigma Yellow and Green Belt courses offered by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) sounded interesting. I then started the yellow belt certification and as I dove deeper into the content, I realized it was exactly what I was looking for.

Evertyhing I learned in both courses gave me the tools and background thar I didn't even realize I was missing. The practical approach of the Green Belt certification was a great way to fill the gap between my initial learnings from the previous course, and gave me the confidence to tackle new challenges at work.

The flexibility (self-paced) fit really well into my schedule. I was privileged to be part of a global community of learners who cared deeply about the course, and that also helped me to make a few connections as well. I have recently advised other 6 other members of my team to pursue the same courses and they are now having a great learning experience themselves. If you are consdering these courses, don't overthink this and just start them. You will not regret.
Moritz

The project in this course is about the littering situation in your hometown – it’s a nice idea to have a positive impact on our planet while doing this certification project. You learn how to apply the learned Six Sigma methods (Yellow Belt Course)…

The project in this course is about the littering situation in your hometown – it’s a nice idea to have a positive impact on our planet while doing this certification project. You learn how to apply the learned Six Sigma methods (Yellow Belt Course) as well as some key elements about project management. If you need help you get really good support in the internal course forum from your peers as well as from the professors. Furthermore, there is a weekly online session in the Green Belt course where you can ask your personal questions as well as learn about best practice examples.

The Green Belt Certification Project is the practical project course which belongs to the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification offered by the Technical University of Munich. I have started with the Yellow Belt Courses and reached my Green Belt Certificate a short time ago. I’m really happy that I started my Six Sigma Certification with the Technical University of Munich and not with any other institution – high educational quality, good organization and amazing support from Prof. Dr. Hutwelker!
Anonymous

The Lean Six Sigma Yellow & Green Belt courses offered by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are the great opportunity to reach high quality trainings from a reputable organization. Six Sigma is a powerful methodology in reducing process varia…

The Lean Six Sigma Yellow & Green Belt courses offered by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are the great opportunity to reach high quality trainings from a reputable organization. Six Sigma is a powerful methodology in reducing process variation and it's beneficial to many industries. Yellow Belt prepares the base which covers the theoretical concepts, Prof. Holly Ott is highly skilled in the subject and clearly explains all principles. The Green Belt Project really helped with a full understanding of the process. The course applies all knowledge from the Yellow Belt course to my business project with individual coaching by Dr. Reiner Hutwelker. The video lectures by Dr. Reiner Hutwelker, the assignments, coaching and the software/tools are designed in perfect harmony with each other, and they really help to understand the different elements of each DMAIC phase. Special thanks to Prof. Dr. Holly Claudia Ott and Dr. Reiner Hutwelker for the effort they put in various lectures throughout the course and explaining difficult topics.
Anonymous

I absolutely loved this course!! The open lectures and guidance by the professors helped me sail through the project. The professors provided excellent continous support! After finishing the course , one can expect to have a detailed knowledge about how to apply DMAIC knowledge in a practical sense. Overall, it has been a very happy journey with TUMx team!!
Anonymous

I am very appreciative that TUM offers this nice project for me. Six Sigma is a powerful methodology in reducing process variation and it's beneficial to many industries. As a student, I don't have any related Six Sigma working experience with a com…

I am very appreciative that TUM offers this nice project for me. Six Sigma is a powerful methodology in reducing process variation and it's beneficial to many industries. As a student, I don't have any related Six Sigma working experience with a company. In other words, I don't know how to implement the statistical tools to solve the problems in the reality. With the help of Dr. Reiner, I went through the complete DMAIC phases by using tools like C&E Matrix, Process Control, Hypothesis Testing, FMEA, etc. They helped me to reinforce my Six Sigma knowledge and also developed my problem-solving abilities.

Dr. Reiner is a nice mentor with a high sense of responsibility. He answered all of my questions and encouraged me to make further effort like presenting my work in the online discussion. I really enjoyed working with him!
Jose Tavares

Before I took this course, I never imagined I could reach such great results, but I managed to come through with the help and guidance of Dr Reiner. The Lean Six Sigma Yellow & Green Belt Course offered by TUM was an excellent surprise since it con…

Before I took this course, I never imagined I could reach such great results, but I managed to come through with the help and guidance of Dr Reiner.

The Lean Six Sigma Yellow & Green Belt Course offered by TUM was an excellent surprise since it consolidates in a balanced way the theory and practice of the Lean Six Sigma concept.

Another pleasant surprise was how statistics, data modelling, project management and the Lean Six Sigma concepts are explained comprehensively by Dr Reiner, with practical examples.

This course enabled me to expand my managerial perception about inputs, outputs, results, processes and systems. Furthermore, had provided a new set of tools to Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control them, saving resources and money.

Thank you! Dr Reiner and his team!
Robbe Maselis

This Green Belt certification course, offered by TU München and taught by Prof. Reiner Hutwelker, applies all knowledge from the corresponding Yellow Belt course to a littering project in your own town. The video lectures by Prof. Hutwelker, the ass…

This Green Belt certification course, offered by TU München and taught by Prof. Reiner Hutwelker, applies all knowledge from the corresponding Yellow Belt course to a littering project in your own town. The video lectures by Prof. Hutwelker, the assignments, coaching and the software/tools are designed in perfect harmony with each other, and they really help to understand the different elements of each DMAIC phase. In my opinion, this Green Belt course really stands out from the others thanks to the practical project experience. It does take a longer time to complete compared to other institutes (it took me roughly half a year), but in my opinion this should not be regarded as a disadvantage as all concepts are explained in much more detail. I can definitely recommend!
Anonymous

I have done a couple of edX MicroMasters and Professional Certificates, and I can honestly say that the offered Green-Belt is by far the best program I participated. It starts with its well-structured approach, a great mix of readings, exercises, tools, videos, online lectures and highly passionate and motivating teachers. While the Yellow Belt prepares the base, the Green Belt Project really helps to get the meat on the bone and ensure a full understanding of the process. The gained knowledge is like a Swiss Army Knife for continuously improvements - I’m sure being able to leverage it at many occasions to become more efficient/effective, increase the customer satisfaction and finally save costs.
Anonymous

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification was well put together. The Master Black Belt instructor, Reiner, was fantastic helping navigate the DMAIC methodology. The program materials and online lectures are very clear and challenged me to develop this skill set. I plan on applying these methods and techniques in my future endeavors. I will be working with my company on creating a continuous improvement culture this year using what I learned from this program and Reiner.
Anonymous

The Green Belt course provided by the university of Munchen is a complete course to understand all necessary tools for continuous improvement. By attending this course, I learned about how to improve processes by using the DMAIC steps in a project.

In addition to, it's a well-structured approach with a mixed tools (video, text, and application "sigmaguide").

Finally, as this certificate is internationally recognized, I was promoted in the company where I worked.

So, I advise you, don't hesitate because that helped me to enhance my career.