IUN offers lean six sigma certification

Business professionals can now get certification in Lean Six Sigma, the methodology that emerged from Japan and has been used to streamline manufacturing and other business operations to eliminate waste.

Indiana University Northwest is now offering both intermediate- and expert-level certifications known as green and black belts to its business students and the general public. An open house will take place at 6 p.m. March 29 at the Dunes Medical/Professional Building, Room 1156.

“We are excited about being able to offer this program to the business community of Northwest Indiana,” Director of the Center for Management Development Jana Szostek said. “The Lean Six Sigma methodology will help any business be competitive in our region, as well as our increasingly global marketplace. It has become the gold standard of quality and continuous improvement and is a highly sought-after certification. Its methods are applicable to any organization.”

Enrollees learn tools and tricks for implementing processes in businesses that improve efficiency, the bottom line and customer satisfaction. The practice involves a collaborative approach to scrapping non-value added activities, like waiting, overproduction and excessive travel to the assembly line.

Jim Waters, a senior maintenance planner for ArcelorMittal who earned a weekend MBA from IUN last year, said the he uses the analysis and problem-solving involved in Lean Six Sigma on a daily basis at his job.

“Six Sigma provides a systematic approach to problem identification and solving,” Waters said. “Because my career relies heavily on problem solving, having a structured tool is invaluable. It provides me with a competitive advantage over my peers in that I have applied a world renowned discipline to my work.”