The University of Kansas (KU) Extended Learning is bringing back its in-person Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification training this fall. It is the first time it has been offered face-to-face since before 2020.
The five-day course will be held in September and October at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park. The program will continue to be available online for those who prefer a virtual format.
Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that combines Lean (which focuses on eliminating waste) and Six Sigma (which focuses on reducing variation and improving quality). Together, they aim to improve processes, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Lean Six Sigma is widely recognized as one of the most effective methodologies for solving operational problems and driving continuous improvement.
Face-to-face Lean Six Sigma learning
The program, taught by Heather McCain, professor of the practice for project management at KU, is designed for professionals who want to work faster, reduce costs and maintain high-quality standards in their organizations.
“This in-person return marks an exciting opportunity for professionals to connect face-to-face, collaborate and apply Lean Six Sigma principles in a dynamic learning environment,” McCain said.
Participants will gain practical expertise in statistical and nonstatistical techniques for process improvement, including:
- Process definition.
- Process flow diagrams and control charts.
- Data collection and measurement techniques.
- Cause and effect analysis.
- Process capability analysis.
Those who successfully complete the program will earn Six Sigma Green Belt certification from KU.
Lean Six Sigma’s relevance in 2025
Despite being more than 30 years old, Lean Six Sigma still offers significant value to modern organizations.
“Having spent two decades consulting with firms rolling out process improvement methodologies, I can say that Lean Six Sigma is not just surviving in 2025 – it’s flourishing,” said Nikhil Pal, operational excellence (OPEX) and digital transformation expert. “Lean Six Sigma addresses two fundamental business issues that never go away: minimizing waste and reducing variation. In fact, these requirements are more paramount (not less) in today’s digital age.”
For business leaders struggling with today’s volatility, Lean Six Sigma provides a proven framework that’s flexible enough to address new challenges. “It’s not a question of dogmatic adherence to tools from decades ago, but of applying timeless principles in new contexts.”
Lean Six Sigma is enhancing combat readiness in the US Army. In the latest iteration of an ongoing partnership between the United States Military Academy West Point and Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) – part of the US Army Communications-Electronics Command – three senior groups of cadets recently finished Lean Six Sigma Green Belt projects.
The initiative aims to educate cadets about tangible improvements in efficiency and operational readiness while providing them with invaluable exposure to real-world logistics challenges.