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Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training Program

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt course at Saint Louis University equips participants with the knowledge and applied skills needed to lead and support continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable business results. Participants learn how to integrate Lean principles, Six Sigma methodology, foundational statistics, waste reduction, and process engineering tools to identify performance gaps, quantify critical quality issues, and implement sustainable improvements.

Using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) framework, learners will design improvement projects, map and analyze processes, collect and interpret performance data, and apply structured problem-solving techniques to reduce variation, improve cycle time, increase productivity, and enhance quality. The course also introduces the appropriate use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance Lean Six Sigma work, such as summarizing voice of the customer (VOC) feedback, organizing project documentation, supporting data exploration and visualization, generating hypotheses for root cause analysis, and improving communication of project outcomes, while emphasizing ethical use, confidentiality, and human validation of all AI-assisted outputs.

The course also emphasizes the professional competencies required for successful project execution, including team effectiveness, communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement.

The Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt Courses will be held on the following two weekends at Saint Louis University's Chaifetz School of Business.

Dates Times Locations

Friday, March 27    

4 - 9:00 pm

Cook Hall 230

Saturday, March 28

9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Cook Hall 230

Sunday, March 29

9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

 Cook Hall 230

Friday, April 10

4 - 9 p.m.

 Cook Hall 236*

Saturday, April 11

9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

 Cook Hall 230

Sunday, April 12

9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

 Cook Hall 230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Note different classroom for this session.

High-Level Course Outline

Module 1 — Introduction and Mindset Foundations

  • Welcome and orientation (Zoom etiquette, participation expectations)
  • About IISE and the mission of solving complex, critical problems
  • Overview: Lean vs. Six Sigma vs. Lean Six Sigma
  • The role of Green Belts and career impact
  • Entrepreneurial mindset (3C’s: Curiosity, Connections, Creating Value) and KEEN framework

Module 2 — Lean Foundations

  • Lean philosophy: value, waste, respect for people
  • The Shingo Model and principles of operational excellence
  • Lean timeline: Toyota Production System origins to modern applications
  • Understanding value vs. non-value-added (VA vs. NVA)
  • Voice of the Customer (VOC) & stakeholder analysis tools
    • Methods for gathering and analyzing VOC
    • Power-interest grid and stakeholder engagement strategies
  • Case studies/hands-on exercises: VOC and stakeholder analysis

Module 3 — Mapping and Analyzing the Process

  • Process-mapping techniques:
    • Process flow diagrams
    • SIPOC
    • Swim lane diagrams
    • Spaghetti diagrams
    • Value stream mapping (VSM)
  • Documenting current state vs. designing future state
  • Metrics: lead time, cycle time, takt time, work-in-progress (WIP)
  • Case Studies/Hands-on Exercises: Current state mapping and value analysis

Module 4 — Creating Flow and Problem Solving

  • Flow and one-piece flow vs. batch and queue
  • Calculating takt time and aligning resources
  • Root cause analysis:
    • 5 whys
    • Cause and effect diagrams
    • PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle
  • Visual management techniques
  • Case studies/hands-on exercises: PDCA cycle application

Module 5 — Establishing Pull and Standard Work

  • Push vs. pull systems; supermarket vs. sequential pull
  • Kanban and just-in-time principles
  • Standard work: job instruction sheets, work charts, and documenting best practices
  • SMED (Single-minute exchange of dies)/setup reduction
  • Total productive maintenance (TPM) and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
  • Case studies/hands-on exercises: Pull system design, changeover analysis

Module 6 — Six Sigma Foundations (DMAIC)

  • Overview of Six Sigma methodology and ISO 13053 alignment
  • Roles and responsibilities: Yellow, Green, Black, and Master Black Belts
  • DMAIC phases:
    • Define: CTQ, project charters, SIPOC
    • Measure: data collection, histograms, control charts, capability analysis (Cp, Cpk, DPMO)
    • Analyze: variation, regression, hypothesis testing
    • Improve: solution generation and pilot testing
    • Control: control plans, reaction plans, sustaining improvements
  • Case studies/hands-on exercises: Process improvement and capability analysis

Module 7 — Advanced Lean and Continuous Improvement Tools

  • Poka-yoke (mistake proofing)
  • Kaizen & Kaikaku (incremental vs. radical improvement)
  • A3 problem-solving reports
  • Change management and Lean leadership
  • Cultural transformation and sustaining gains

Module 8 — Project Leadership and Application

  • Selecting impactful Lean Six Sigma projects
  • Leading cross-functional teams and overcoming resistance
  • Measuring financial and operational impact
  • Communication and reporting to stakeholders
  • Final exam preparation and review

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Instructor- Beth Cudney, Ph.D.

Elizabeth (Beth) Cudney is one of the nation’s leading experts in Lean Six Sigma and quality management. Cudney is a professor of data analytics at Maryville University and president of Cudney Consulting Group, LLC. She is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, an ASQ Fellow, and an IISE Fellow, holding eight ASQ certifications, including Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence.

Her achievements include the ASQ Crosby Medal and the Walter E. Masing Book Prize for her contributions to Lean Six Sigma research and practice. Having authored nine books and over 100 scholarly publications, Cudney brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to this program. This course is offered in collaboration with the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) — a globally recognized authority in operational excellence.

Certification

Through this partnership, students will have the opportunity to take the online Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam through IISE.org, earning official IISE credentials in addition to a certificate of completion from Saint Louis University’s Center for Supply Chain Excellence.

Course Fees

The course fee is $1,690.

Get 20% off when you register before February 28, 2026. Use Code: LSS_GB_PRO_26 at checkout.

Full-time students (at any university) can enroll for $695. Please email us to get your discount code. We will require proof that you are a full-time student of a university or a college.

Saint Louis University students can register for $595.  Please email us to get your discount code.

Email the Center for Supply Chain Excellence at cscms@slu.edu. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Register Today