What is Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt?

UBC Lean Six Sigma Certified yellow belt icon

A Yellow Belt begins the journey of Lean Six Sigma development, where professionals gain a deeper understanding of Lean Six Sigma methods, and start to build the hands-on skills needed to lead and support process improvement projects at UBC.

Lean Six Sigma uses the metaphor of martial arts belts to explain each team members’ role in advancing a project and ability to use the tools provided by Lean Six Sigma:

  • White Belt: A foundational understanding of the purpose, terms and phases used in Lean Six Sigma.
  • Yellow Belt: Small project leadership skillset and ability to use the basic Lean Six Sigma toolset.
  • Green Belt: The main leaders of Lean Six Sigma projects.
  • Black Belt: Leadership of large, complex Lean Six Sigma projects.
  • Master Black Belt: Strategic oversight and leadership of a portfolio of projects or organizations.

Requirements

Professionals who hold a Lean Six Sigma White Belt have:

  • Attended a two-day Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt workshop, offered by our partners at UBC Sauder School of Business – Executive Education
  • Completed 30 hours of coursework
  • Achieved a minimum of 60% in the certification exam

The Important Role of a Yellow Belt at UBC

Upon successful completion of the exam and certification project, Yellow Belt professionals can lead small improvement projects or support larger projects at UBC led by a Certified Green Belt or Certified Black Belt, playing a key role in the university’s shift towards operational excellence.