Lean Black Belt Program

Location: Arizona State University, Skysong; Scottsdale, AZ.
Course Fee: $6,500 includes course materials and catered lunch daily.
Dates: TBD

Watch video overview of program.

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Program Sections:

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Overview

It is generally accepted that one of the key issues to be addressed in maintaining and sustaining international competitiveness is to implement operational excellence and best practice continuous improvement methodologies. To be world class, organizations must focus on improving their ability to service markets in the face of increasing customer demands by creating value. Organizations must develop a strategic learning organization which in turn will enable associates at all levels to develop and manage and sustain a continuous improvement culture.

This Lean Black Belt Program focuses on the education of lean experts and the detailed foundation methodologies of value, value streams, pull, flow, and perfection. Lean experts must be the strategic drivers for the identification of waste and the leaders to define strategic opportunities. This approach is complimentary to the Six Sigma approach.

Learning Outcomes:

Students participating in the Lean Black Belt Program will learn through the desired learning outcomes as detailed below:

  • To fully understand the history of lean and the contributing developers of lean.
  • To fully understand the strategic objective of lean.
  • To mentor and lead the organizational organization in lean.
  • To become an expert of all lean tools and advanced methods.
  • To become conversant at the development of a strategic Operational Excellence plan and lead the execution of Lean Projects.
Training Methodology and Philosophy: Philosophical Consistency

Most organizations are attempting to create a consistent philosophical approach to solving fundamental problems. This notion of Continuous Improvement (CI) must cascade from the leadership team to the shop floor operator. If the philosophical approach is consistent ~ then we are finding marvelous results. Typical results with consistent approaches are showing:

  • 50% Time Reduction
  • 50% Cost Reduction
  • 50% Quality Improvement.

These are startling results even to skilled practitioners.

However, if the CI portfolio is NOT managed consistently, then communication breaks down and the results above are NOT achieved. What is different about the two camps is the philosophical approach to problem solving. We at ASU have addressed this aggressively. We have established a consistent problem solving approach for everything we do. We call this: "RDdmaicSI"

  • R - Strategically Recognize that an opportunity exists
  • D - Strategically Define the opportunity.
  • d - Tactically Define the purpose, viewpoint and context of the problem in a Value Stream Map or other format.
  • m - Measure the key attributes and align these to the strategic metrics found in "R".
  • a - Analyze the situation and identify the root cause
  • i - Make Improvements happen with the users owning the results.
  • c - Achieve Control of the new solution over the long run
  • S - Standardize on how this process should be conducted throughout the enterprise.
  • I - Integrated this into the fabric of the enterprise.

This "RDdmaicSI" comes from page 115 of the classic Six Sigma text written by Mikel Harry and Richard Schroeder. It extends the "dmaic" problem solving approach to a strategic focus and strategic metrics.

We at ASU used this consistent philosophical approach in all of our CI offerings:

  • Obviously we use this in our Six Sigma offerings because "dmaic" is the foundation of Six Sigma. However, we consistently add the "RD" on the front end and the "SI" on the back end.
  • What is not so obvious is that we also use "RDdmaicSI" for our Lean Roadmapping. Lean and Six Sigma are complementary and the teams are using the same philosophical approach to solve problems.
  • We are now extending this into our new Sustainability thrust by incorporating "RDdmaic" into our ISO 14000 Environmental Management Systems efforts.

By applying a consistent philosophical approach to problem solving, we find we achieve synergies from Senior Leadership to Knowledge Worker, from one organization to the next.

Instructional Format and Schedule:

The program is offered in four 1-week sessions at Arizona State University. Each 1-week session is offered each month over a period of four months. Class sessions are Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm. View our Fall 2010 schedule.

Quizzes and Project

The program concludes with student Project Report presentations demonstrating effects on operational performance. This session is required for all students wishing to receive a certificate, as the project is used as the major criterion for grading. A quiz will be administered at the end of each instructional week.

Who Should Attend:

The program is aimed at directors, managers, engineers, supervisors and others who have responsibility for implementing continuous improvement within their organizations and also those who wish to develop individual knowledge and skills in the area of strategic lean systems leadership.

Participants must have a Lean Green Belt certification to attend this training program

Registration, Refunds and Cancellations

The registration fees for the Lean Black Belt program held at Arizona State University includes instruction, handouts, and a catered lunch. Hotel accommodations are not included.

Seating at the course is limited. Enroll for the course as soon as possible to assure your space. You will receive a confirmation email upon registration. Fees may be paid by check, money order, purchase order, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, and American Express) and must be received four weeks prior to the start date. Please make all remittances payable, in U.S. funds, to Arizona State University.

If you register and then need to cancel, please note that there is a cancellation fee. Written requests for cancellation may be sent to Amy Sever at amy.sever@asu.edu. The rate of the fee is determined by how far in advance of the program start date the written request for cancellation is received by the office of Global Outreach and Extended Education. The cancellation fee schedule is as follows:

  • Four or more weeks prior - 10% of program fee
  • Three weeks prior - 50% of program fee
  • Within two weeks - 75% of program fee

Registrants who do not attend or who do not cancel are subject to the complete program fee. Participant substitutes may be made by submitting a written request in advance. The office of Global Outreach and Extended Education reserves the right to change instructors, cancel or reschedule the program in the event of insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances.

Registration

For more information contact:

Amy Sever,
Manager - Professional and Executive Programs
asu.cpd@asu.edu