Six Sigma is a systematic approach to making significant or breakthrough process improvements. Currently, Six Sigma exists as a team-based problem-solving approach applied by trained project facilitators, which are typically called belts. Depending on the level of expertise in the methodology and improvement tools, belts can be White, Yellow, Green, Black, and Master Black Belts (MBBs). The Master Black Belt is the highest level of expertise in Six Sigma approaches, tools, and techniques.
In companies implementing Six Sigma, the role of Master Black Belt is to train, guide, and coach Black and Green belts to execute their improvement projects efficiently. In addition to this, Master Black Belts are often responsible for overseeing the organization’s entire improvement program with the ultimate responsibility for creating a robust culture of continuous improvement. Thus, the competence of MBBs is critically important for the success and long-term sustainability of Six Sigma in organizations.
This book is ideal for all those who wish to get trained and certified as Master Black Belts and train others to achieve breakthrough results using Six Sigma to shape and execute improvement projects. The book has the right balance between topics such as strategic planning, project selection, stakeholder management, and training design, to advanced statistical techniques such as propagation of errors, destructive measurement systems, general linear models and components of variation, and complex blocking structures in Design of Experiments. This book was written by three expert Master Black Belts certified by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). Moreover, they are from different parts of the world and industry, which brings great diversity to the contents of the book.
Table of Contents:
I. Enterprise-wide Planning Chapter 1 Strategic Plan Deployment Chapter 2 Strategy Alignment Chapter 3 Infrastructure Elements of Improvement Systems Chapter 4 Improvement Methodologies Chapter 5 Opportunities for Improvement Chapter 6 Pipeline Management Section I Questions II. Organizational Competencies for Deployment Chapter 7 Organizational Design Chapter 8 Executive Leadership Roles Chapter 9 Organizational Challenges Chapter 10 Organizational Change Management Chapter 11 Organizational Feedback Chapter 12 Organizational Performance Metrics Section II Questions III. Project Portfolio Management Chapter 13 Project Management Principles and Life Cycle Chapter 14 Project Portfolio Management Infrastructure Chapter 15 Project Portfolio Financial Tools Section III Questions IV. Training Design and Delivery Chapter 16 Training Needs Analysis Chapter 17 Training Plans Chapter 18 Training Materials and Curriculum Development Chapter 19 Training Effectiveness Section IV Questions V. Coaching and Mentoring Responsibilities Chapter 20 Coaching Executive and Champions Chapter 21 Coaching Teams and Individuals Section V Questions VI. Advanced Data Management and Analytic Methods Chapter 22 Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Process Capability, and Control Chapter 23 Measuring and Modeling Relationships Between Variables Chapter 24 Design of Experiments (DOE) Chapter 25 Data Management and Analytics Chapter 26 DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) Section VI Questions VII. Cases & Essays Chapter 27 – Essay Writing Strategies MBB Simulated Examination Questions
About the Author :
Hemant P. Urdhwareshe is a mechanical engineer with a postgraduate Diploma in Business management. He is the Director of the Institute of Quality & Reliability (IoQR) which conducts training and consulting in Six Sigma as well as Quality and Reliability Engineering. Hemant has been certified by ASQ as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CMBB), Quality Manager (CMQ/OE), Quality Engineer (CQE), and Reliability Engineer (CRE). Hemant has conducted numerous training programs for corporate clients and individuals in the areas of Six Sigma, Reliability Engineering, and Quality Assurance.
Hemant has authored the book Six Sigma for Business Excellence and coauthored the book Total Quality Management, both published by Pearson Education (India). Apart from the books, he has presented many papers and published many articles in various forums and conferences.
Hemant has received:
- Quality Leadership Award, World Quality Congress 2022
- D.L.Shah Trust and Quality Council of India CI Quality Champion Silver Award 2018
- Qimpro Foundation Silver Standard Award 2003
Hemant was a visiting faculty at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) for Business Statistics and Six Sigma. He runs a YouTube Channel “Institute of Quality and Reliability” with a large subscriber base. Hemant likes to share his knowledge and experience on a YouTube channel that has more than a hundred technical videos on various topics in Quality, Reliability, and Six Sigma. Hemant is also a passionate accordion and keyboard player and runs a YouTube music channel as well with more than 200 music videos.
Hemant is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), a Senior Life Member of the National Center for Quality Management (NCQM, India), and a Senior Life Member of the National Institution for Quality and Reliability (NIQR, India).
Husain Al-Omani is an expert in project management and Six Sigma. He holds BS. (Mechanical Engineering), MS. (Construction Management) and MBA from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). Husain has been certified by ASQ as Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CMBB), Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), and Certified Quality Auditor (CQA). Also, he holds other certifications from AACE International, IIA, CMAA, and PMI. He has a leadership role in AACE International (Board of Directors) as Director at Large (2021-2025). Also, he is the General Manager in Saudi Arabia at CECO Environmental. He has been awarded the Ishikawa Medal in 2024 from ASQ and the Keane Award in 2021 from AACE International.
Thomas West is a seasoned expert in continuous improvement with extensive credentials, including a Certified Master Black Belt (CMBB) designation from the American Society for Quality (ASQ). Additionally, he is an ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Operational Excellence (CMQ/OE) and also possesses a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Thomas has dedicated his career to fostering operational excellence and has a rich history of driving impactful change. For much of his career, Thomas served as the Director of Continuous Improvement at a large regional health system in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he played a pivotal role in spearheading system-wide training initiatives. After nearly 9 years of leading teams in the health system, Tom’s commitment to advancing organizational efficiency led him to establish his consulting firm in 2019. Since embarking on his journey as a business owner, Tom has successfully guided clients across various industries, including finance, IT, manufacturing, healthcare, warehousing/distribution, and education.
Thomas's consulting philosophy centers on empowering teams with robust problem-solving skills, enabling them to perform meaningful work and cultivate a sense of pride in their contributions - a concept he passionately calls "good tired." His areas of expertise encompass leadership, strategy, portfolio management, and training and development.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Thomas is dedicated to the broader field of quality improvement. He volunteers annually as a Baldrige examiner, contributing his expertise to help organizations improve their performance and achieve excellence.
