Six Sigma demands the engagement of people in the organization. An essential prerequisite of engagement is the nurturing of attitudes, the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills.

Six Sigma competency is defined as the key knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviours needed to satisfactorily perform appropriate Six Sigma tasks.

Training and development objectives to meet competency requirements are classified into three domains, cognitive (relating to intellectual abilities and skills), affective (reflecting attitude and feelings) and psychomotor (dealing with muscular skill, co-ordination and manipulation).

The cognitive domain is graduated into six levels of attainment in ascending order, knowledge of, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Competency levels for yellow, green and black belts need to be pre-established.

The American Society for Quality required body of knowledge for certification of black belts is used as a 'gleam in the eye' benchmark.

Black belt competency requirements cover a number of areas. These are overall understanding of the organizational, business process management, project management, Six Sigma improvement tools, lean organization and design for Six Sigma.

Important basic Six Sigma 'common language' tools include:

• statistical process control (SPC), for monitoring and ensuring process stability;

• process capability analysis (PCA) with capability ( Cp family) and performance ( Pp family) indices for first-time quality profiling,

• experimentation (DoE), using standard economic designs, for creative problem-solving and securing process and product improvements.

• SPC, PCA and DoE form a trilogy that enables the Six Sigma practitioner to attain, and sustain, the ultimate goal of aiming...