Six Sigma is a methodology designed to generate profits, organization, and quality in a business setting. By providing Six Sigma training to the various levels of staff in an organization, these results can be realized quickly and efficiently. There are various Six Sigma training programs depending on the status of an individual within an organization. For example, average employees are rarely trained on more than a Six Sigma Green Belt certification while a supervisor is a Black Belt. Each of the different belts and certifications are detailed below:

Master Black Belts are responsible for the training, coaching and oversight of lower-level Black and Green belts. Six Sigma Master Black Belt training programs allow individuals, usually high-ranking managers or supervisors, to become an integral part of the Six Sigma functionality. These people are responsible for developing key metrics and establishing the strategic direction by acting as the business Six Sigma internal consultant. Black Belts oversee the constant, targeted problem-solving improvement projects that are a key element of the Six Sigma methodology. Six Sigma Black Belt training programs teach these project leads how to train and coach their individual teams and direct the improvement projects.

The Six Sigma Green Belt holder is normally a non-manager employee who assists the Black Belt with analysis and data collection. The Green Belt can also help oversee a Green Belt project and fill in for the Black Belt as needed. Yellow Belts are mid-ranking staffers whose participation is at the staff level with regard to projects. They review their own work and process any improvements necessary.

The lowest tier in the Six Sigma program is a White Belt. These individuals can work on low-level problem solving teams to support the overall Black Belt project, but are not official members of the Six Sigma project team. White Belts do not require any official Six Sigma training or Six Sigma certification and are only aware of or have a basic understanding of Six Sigma concepts. Other integral designations in the Six Sigma program refer to organizational support.

Executives and champions, as they are called, help establish project direction by working in one of the following functionalities: Executives are responsible for overall Six Sigma organizational alignment. These individuals must establish the complete strategic focus of the implemented Six Sigma program by evaluating the culture and vision of the company. Lower level Champions assist with applying the companys vision, mission, designated goals and metrics to an improvement project by identifying company resources and helping demolish any existing barriers to improvement.