Blue Belt. Lean Leadership. Yellow Belt. Have you ever wondered what all these terms mean? Let’s take a deeper look at some of the different Continuous Improvement (CI) project levels and belt certifications.
A Just Do It project is a great fit for making small improvements when the solution is already known. In this case, no root cause
analysis or detailed data analysis is needed. Just go ahead and make the improvement!
A Yellow Belt project helps to improve a process when the solution is not already known. The improvement should be measurable (e.g., removing a specific number of steps in a process, increasing time between equipment failures). A Yellow Belt project applies basic CI tools covered in Quality-provided training.
Requirements for certification are:
- Identify and review your project with Quality for approval
- Obtain support from area leadership and a Quality mentor
- Participate in two-day Yellow Belt training
- Fill out an A3 documenting project information and improvements
- Provide evidence that improvements and appropriate controls were implemented
- Review project deliverables and benefits with Quality prior to finalizing
An Advanced Yellow Belt project requires no additional training and continues to utilize skills gained in Yellow Belt training, allowing for increased project success. There is no limit to the number of Advanced Yellow Belt projects an employee can complete.
Requirements for certification are the same as above, with the addition of having already successfully completed at least one Yellow
Belt project.
A Green Belt project utilizes more advanced data analysis and moderate-level CI tools covered in Quality-provided training. It
is intended to produce results with measurable financial benefits.
Requirements for certification are:
- Complete a Citizens-certified Yellow Belt project
- Identify and review your project with Quality for approval
- Participate in three-day Green Belt training
- Produce measurable benefits of $25,000 or more
- Demonstrate the ability to use and understand moderate CI tools
- Review toll-gates with your project sponsor and Quality mentor between each phase
- Provide evidence that improvements and appropriate controls were implemented
- Review project deliverables and benefits with Quality prior to finalizing
A Blue Belt certification is available for those completing an eight-week course on Lean Leadership principles provided by Quality. The course provides leaders with an opportunity to learn how to apply key principles, discuss their role in a Lean organization and support employees in their area. It is intended for supervisors, managers and directors.
Independent projects can be done at any time by utilizing the A3 and other CI tools, and are completed outside of the certification process. If you would like Quality to verify benefits, just let any member of the department know.
On May 29, Citizens Energy Group’s Quality Department completed its first internally supported Green Belt training. Employees from various areas throughout the company developed their leadership and higher-level problem-solving skills, which will help them produce the best results in their respective projects.
Green Belt training participants, left to right: Derek Sutton, Breann Cooper, Kevin Hackett, Darren Baker, Katie Gomes, Beth Smith, Jill Casky, Madison Barker and Chris Kennedy.
Several employees also completed Lean Leadership certifications.
Lean Leadership participants, left to right: Phil Zbojniewicz, Michelle Bennington, Robert Reese, Chris Barron, Doug Buffington, Justin Redman, Mary Benge, Steve Berube, Michelle Dinkins, Jeff Hansen, Paul Dicken, Joe Ray, Mark Umphress and Tom Price.
Maurice Johnson recently received his Blue Belt Certification.
At Citizens Energy Group, the Quality Department is committed to helping employees continuously improve processes to provide the best possible product, service and experience to our customers.
