Lean Six Sigma Green Belts are specialists in executing Lean Six Sigma projects. With the right combination of specialist expertise, statistical analysis and structured Lean Six Sigma methodology, the Green Belt is able to achieve significant improvements in performance and quality. The impact on the organization and savings can be as large as a Black Belt project, but in general Lean Six Sigma Green Belt projects have a smaller scope and are less complex than Black Belt projects. The scope of the project is often within one department, process or expertise rather than across departments.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belts might work alone or as a project manager in a team. Team members can be other Belts or employees without specific Lean Six Sigma competencies. Lean Six Sigma Green Belts can also be team members in larger Black Belt projects. We can distinguish Lean Green Belts, that are working on improvement projects and Lean Six Sigma Green Belts that are working on more data driven projects. Lean Six Sigma Green Belts master all Lean techniques as well as additional statistical and analytical Six Sigma techniques.

You can get certified as Lean Green Belt or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. The certification consists of a theoretical element and a practical element. The full Green Belt certificate requires sufficient achievement in both theoretical and practical element.

Theoretical Exam Criteria

  • The Lean Green Belt theoretical exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions.
  • The duration of the Lean Green Belt exam is 120 minutes.
  • To pass the Lean Green Belt exam, at least 25 questions need to be correctly answered. 
  • The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt theoretical exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions.
  • The duration of the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt exam is 180 minutes.
  • To pass the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt exan, at least 38 questions need to be correctly answered. 
  • The exams are open book. Candidates can take maximum 2 books to the exam. Exercise books are not allowed.
  • A calculator or statistical software (e.g. Minitab) is allowed.
  • You must be able to identify yourself with photographic ID.

Practical Exam Criteria

  • For Lean Green Belt: one successful project at CIMM level-III (or higher).
  • For Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: one successful project at CIMM level-IV or higher.
  • The project should have a significant impact to the organization. This means that it has a financial impact of € 20,000 on an annual basis or another relevant CTQ has substantially been improved.
  • The project must follow the DMAIC or DMADV roadmap.
  • The templates for submitting the project can be downloaded here.
  • The project should be signed off by the Champion to declare that the project has been carried out professionally and that objectives have been achieved and sustainable.
  • A single Green Belt can submit the project for certification in its role of project manager.
  • The project must be submitted no later than three years after passing the theoretical examination.