4.3 Six Sigma Roles and Responsibilities

Six Sigma teams rely on a structured hierarchy of roles to drive process improvement. From Executive Leadership to Process Owners, each position plays a crucial part in implementing and sustaining Six Sigma initiatives across an organization.

Qualifications and responsibilities vary for each role, with increasing levels of expertise and commitment required as you move up the hierarchy. Green Belts, Black Belts, and Master Black Belts form the core of Six Sigma projects, each with distinct skills and responsibilities.

Six Sigma Team Structure

Key roles in Six Sigma teams

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• Executive Leadership guides strategy allocates resources removes organizational barriers (mergers, restructuring)

• Champion selects prioritizes projects secures resources acts as liaison between teams and leadership (project portfolio management)

• Sponsor oversees projects ensures alignment with business goals supports team (stakeholder management)

• Master Black Belt mentors Black Belts and Green Belts provides technical expertise develops maintains Six Sigma curriculum (advanced statistical analysis, design of experiments)

• Black Belt leads complex improvement projects coaches Green Belts applies advanced statistical tools (regression analysis, hypothesis testing)

• Green Belt leads smaller projects or supports Black Belts applies basic Six Sigma tools implements process improvements (process mapping, cause-and-effect diagrams)

• Yellow Belt participates in project teams assists with data collection and analysis supports improvement initiatives (Pareto charts, control charts)

• Process Owner maintains improved processes ensures sustained results provides subject matter expertise (key performance indicators, standard operating procedures)

Six Sigma Role Requirements

Qualifications for Six Sigma roles

• Executive Leadership requires strategic thinking change management experience understanding of Six Sigma principles (balanced scorecard, total quality management)

• Champion needs senior management position project management skills strong communication abilities (stakeholder engagement, resource allocation)

• Sponsor requires mid to senior-level management knowledge of business operations decision-making authority (cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment)

• Master Black Belt needs extensive Six Sigma project experience advanced statistical knowledge training and mentoring skills (multivariate analysis, experimental design)

• Black Belt requires full-time dedication to Six Sigma projects strong analytical and problem-solving skills leadership and project management abilities (DMAIC methodology, Lean principles)

• Green Belt needs part-time involvement in Six Sigma projects basic statistical knowledge process improvement experience (SIPOC diagrams, 5S methodology)

• Yellow Belt requires awareness of Six Sigma concepts basic problem-solving skills teamwork and collaboration abilities (brainstorming techniques, fishbone diagrams)

• Process Owner needs in-depth knowledge of the process ability to influence and implement changes performance measurement skills (value stream mapping, cycle time analysis)

Responsibilities of Champions and Sponsors

• Champion responsibilities:

1. Identify strategic improvement opportunities
2. Allocate resources for projects
3. Remove organizational obstacles
4. Communicate project progress to leadership
5. Ensure project alignment with business goals

• Sponsor responsibilities:

1. Provide guidance and support to project teams
2. Monitor project progress and outcomes
3. Facilitate decision-making processes
4. Ensure availability of necessary resources
5. Act as an escalation point for issues

Green Belts vs Black Belts vs Master Black Belts

• Green Belts work part-time on Six Sigma projects lead smaller-scale initiatives apply basic tools (DMAIC, 5 Whys) support Black Belts maintain regular job duties

• Black Belts dedicate full-time to Six Sigma projects lead complex cross-functional initiatives apply advanced statistical tools (ANOVA, DOE) coach mentor Green Belts serve as internal consultants

• Master Black Belts possess highest technical expertise develop maintain training curriculum mentor Black Belts and Green Belts assist in project selection drive organizational Six Sigma strategy (deployment planning, cultural transformation)