What is a Six Sigma Yellow Belt?

A Yellow Belt Offers Important Early Step on Six Sigma Journey

Six Sigma allows organizations to use proven problem-solving tools and strategies to make operations more efficient and effective. Ultimately, however, success in Six Sigma is determined by the expertise and commitment of the people involved.

An important part of Six Sigma is its color-coded belt system that indicates a person’s attainment of skills, knowledge and experience. Of these, the Yellow Belt is where professionals take a big step forward, learning foundational concepts and participating on Six Sigma project teams that put them into action.

The Six Sigma Belt System

The Six Sigma belt system is much like the one used in martial arts. Each color represents a new level of expertise in applying Six Sigma to process improvement. The Yellow Belt is one of the first belts you can earn.

White Belt – This introduces beginners to the jargon and basic principles of Six Sigma.

Yellow Belt – At this level, professionals start to expand their skills and knowledge. They usually work under a Black Belt or Green Belt on a project, and practice Six Sigma part-time.

Green Belts – Working under a Black Belt, Green Belts are often responsible for much of the actual work done on a project and are experts both in the process being improved and in Six Sigma principles.

Black Belt – Leaders on project teams with experience in completing Six Sigma projects that result in significant process improvement.

Master Black Belt – Act as internal consultants on multiple project teams, mentor Green Belts and Black Belts and lead organization-wide Six Sigma strategy.

Completing Yellow Belt training is important because it opens the door for professionals to sit on project teams and gain experience in the application of Six Sigma tools and strategies.

Role of a Yellow Belt

Yellow Belts can work on Six Sigma projects under the supervision of a Green Belt or Black Belt, usually assisting with the use of basic tools or techniques such as a process map. They typically are on the team because they are knowledgeable about the process that is being addressed and can play a role in measuring the impact of the process improvements implemented.

Because the Yellow Belt is typically the closest to the process, their expertise is critical to project success. Without a Yellow Belt, however, it’s unlikely they will be in the room at all. While they do not have Six Sigma expertise, they have enough knowledge to work and learn under the guidance of those who do.

Some organizations support Yellow Belt training across the organization. Both managers and front-line employees can benefit from training because it exposes participants to popular tools and techniques and provides general working knowledge to help them be able to all speak the same language. The more people who complete Yellow Belt training, the more opportunity there is to create a Six Sigma culture in the workplace.

Benefits of Earning a Yellow Belt

The experience of working on a Six Sigma project is one of the benefits for a Yellow Belt. Learning theory in a classroom is essential for any knowledge area. However, learning is not complete until theory is applied to real-world challenges.

With Lean and Six Sigma methodologies becoming more prevalent in industries and disciplines including human resources, healthcare, Agile, the military and supply chain management, earning a Yellow Belt can act as a steppingstone to higher Six Sigma belt designations which offer leadership opportunities.