Here’s great news!

Soarent Vision’s new schedule of 2012 LEAN SIX SIGMA TRAINING for Mining and Energy companies just gets better and better.

Here are the major improvements for 2012.

1. Additional Modules are Converted to Self-Paced Training

The Diploma Bridging Course (DBC) is now self paced . It will be delivered in a similar format to the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) module now offered in the Black Belt training.

Students will be provided with study and assignment documents to be completed in their own time within a designated period and they will use the text provided as reference.

This provides the opportunity to spend more time on mentoring course participants without increasing student fees.

2. New Mentoring Sessions / Master Classes

We are going to give students a lot more mentoring. They will now be able to attend up to Four x Soarent Vision hosted master classes throughout the year.

Our goals for this mentoring component of training are to:

(a) relieve internal pressure for mentoring for the host (your) company,

(b) significantly enhance the development of student capability, and

(c) reduce time for students to get certified.

3. Industry Focus

Our public training will be focused on the Mining and Energy sector processes with relevant service components included. The simulation will more closely resemble the work of this industry.  Our intention is to provide the very best training possible for our specific customer market, not be everything to everybody.

Soarent Vision will still provide tailored in-house training as requested.

Wrap Up

Give us a call if you have any questions or want more information.

Our entire team is looking forward to Soarent Vision being of service to you in the new year, take care.

If you are participating in our Lean Six Sigma training program and you have not yet completed assignments for your Diploma or Advanced Diploma, this is relevant to you.

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Getting Certified

Certification is actually quite a simple process once you have completed the training and end of course exams. All you need to do is complete the assignments and send in your work.

The assignments are listed in FORM 5 in your certification kit which you can DOWNLOAD HERE.

Myths About Certification

Myth #1: You have to do a project or projects that get you to use all of the tools listed in your assignments.

Not true … all you need to do is at least 1 [value adding] improvement project that demonstrates your competence in applying the DMAIC model. You support this work with an affidavit signed by the project champion.

The assignments not covered in the project can be completed individually for literally any scenario.

Myth #2: You have to facilitate project work with a team for all assignments.

Not true … as long as you facilitate at least 1 Lean or Six Sigma project using the DMAIC model, you can complete all other assignments on your own. All you need to do is demonstrate competency in the use of the tool. Follow what FORM 5 says and you can’t go wrong.

Myth #3: There is too much work to do in completing the assignments.

Definitely not true … let me make 2 important points in relation to this.

(a) The list of course assignments is longest for module 1 (Lean) and they get progressively shorter for each course. By the time you get to the statistics portion of the Black Belt program, you only have 4 simple assignments to complete.

(b) At Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels, these are the highest training body accredited qualifications for Lean Six Sigma practitioners in the world today.

• Nobody offers an Advanced Diploma which is the equivalent of two thirds of a Bachelor Degree.
• With a bit of effort, you can attain the Ad Dip in less than 12 months.

Certification is so important to you I just cannot stress it enough.

There is already a change in the employment market, and just like what happened with MBAs, the quality of your certification and where you got it from is coming under more scrutiny.

If you have any questions about your certification, drop us a line here – help@soarent.com.au

Take care.

Andrew Walden Receives Advanced Diploma in Business Improvement Leadership

by George Lee Sye

Are you currently doing Lean Six Sigma training and working towards certification as a Green Belt or Black Belt?

Here are four simple reminders about what you need to do to achieve that.

#1 Get a project.

Yeah, I know … this might seem like an obvious thing.

But the reality is the majority of course participants in this country engage in the training without a project to work on. My advice is this:

If you are doing LEAN TRAINING, then pick a project based on improving some variable associated with moving a product or service related item through a process – i.e. cycle time, throughput, volumes, bottle necks, inventory or work-inprogress..

If you are doing SIX SIGMA TRAINING, get a project that is directed towards improving or controlling variation in the quality of a product or service – i.e. variation in time, size, length, blend, quality.

If you don’t know how to find a project, get a copy of my Process Alchemy book or if you use an iPad, download a copy of his Project Identification book through Apple’s iBook application.

#2 Know exactly what it is you have to do to get certified.

Certification for students of Soarent Vision’s Academy of Process Mastery are required to demonstrate that they can actually apply some of the key components of the Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

To help them achieve that we provide them with a simple guide (Form 5 of the Certification Kit) which describes all post course activities.

If you aren’t one of our students, ask the question of your training provider. ‘What do I need to actually do to get certified?’

#3 Keep records of all activities that relate to your work.

Most practitioners realise at a later date that they should have kept better records for themselves.

Records are normally formal documentation of specific processes or tools used. With modern day technology, records can also be photographs and video recordings of work undertaken.

Remember ….. your records should also include a general project report that summarises the work completed and the outcomes achieved. You will be glad you did later on.

#4 Obtain sign off at the completion of your project work.

Get your project champion to sign off and validate the work you have led as project team leader. It should also confirm the value that you have created through your work.

Very few practitioners actually do this, yet it is a powerful means of proving the value you bring to an organisation. It might also be a useful reference for future career changes.

If you are one of our students, we provide a specific tool (Form 7 of the Certification Kit) for Diploma and Advanced Diploma course participants.

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Soarent Vision arguably provides the most advanced and business relevant Master Black Belt training in the world today.

With a unique focus on influence and persuasion concepts, this program integrates perfectly with Soarent Vision’s AQF accredited Lean Six Sigma program for Green Belts and Black Belts, and prepares Master Black Belts to be the most influential and high performance leaders.

Some of the highest profile leaders of the Lean Six Sigma industry have now obtained Diploma and Advanced Diploma Certification with Soarent Vision.

They realise that these qualifications, re-accredited in July 2010 with the governing body for all Australian tertiary qualifications, are the only national accredited Lean Six Sigma qualifications in the Australia today. They are also one of the keys to standing out from a crowded market place.

Methods of Certification

Certification to the level of Diploma (Green Belt) and Advanced Diploma (Black Belt) can be undertaken in two ways -

1. As a STUDENT of Soarent Vision’s Academy of Process Mastery; or
2. Through a process of RPL where Prior Learning and Experience is recognised

Relevance of this Information

This certification information is provided for participants of Soarent Vision’s Academy of Process Mastery who are pursuing Lean Six Sigma qualifications to the levels of Diploma in Business Improvement Leadership and Advanced Diploma in Business Improvement Leadership.

NOTE: If you are seeking information about certification through an RPL process, please refer to the blog dedicated to that topic - click here.

How do I get Certified?

Diploma and Advanced Diploma certification requires that you undertake the following.

1. Complete the relevant MODULES OF TRAINING (information on modules is here - http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma-training)
2. UTILISE AND APPLY the Lean and Six Sigma methodologies (relevant to the respective qualification) in the workplace – this includes specific tools and micro processes, as well as the entire DMAIC process
3. ASSEMBLE DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE of application for specific elements (refer to Form 5 in the certification kit)
4. Make APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION within 12 months of the final module of training

How do I access a Certification Kit?

Simply visit this page - http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma-training/lean-six-sigma-certification-tools – where you can download information and the certification kit relevant to your situation.

What does Certification cost?

For Soarent Vision Students (within the 12 month post training period) – the certification fee is $1,650 for each qualification (Diploma and Advanced Diploma). Please Note:

• Certification fees are not included in the pricing for individual courses
• Certification fees are included in the full Diploma and Advanced Diploma course packages.

To obtain clarification on fees, you can inquire with your Business Improvement Manager or send your inquiry to this email address – home@soarent.com.au.

What are my next steps?

If you participated in training after July 2010, follow these steps.

1. Download a STUDENT CERTIFICATION KIT and HANDBOOK from here -  http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma-training/lean-six-sigma-certification-tools
2. Review FORM 5 from the kit and assemble your documented evidence
3. If you are seeking the Advanced Diploma qualification – you will need to COMPLETE THE QFD UNIT of Competency
4. Submit your APPLICATION for Certification

What are my next steps if I participated in training prior to July 2010?

You will be required to complete the RPL process.

1. Download the RPL CERTIFICATION KIT and HANDBOOK from here -  http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma-training/lean-six-sigma-certification-tools
2. Follow this link for more information - click here

For Further Inquiries

If you have any questions about certification, send your inquiries to certification@soarent.com.au

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Soarent Vision provides the only nationally recognised Lean Six Sigma specific education program to the level of Advanced Diploma. For more information about the program, visit the website here – http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma/academy-process-mastery

Soarent Vision Provides Nationally Recognised Lean Six Sigma Training

Standards for recognising genuine business improvement leadership capability are becoming more and more important in the market today.; not just for companies with improvement initiatives in place, but for practitioners as well. Two leaders of business improvement are setting those new standards in Sydney and Perth.

Soarent Vision wishes to congratulate two of the most capable business improvement leaders in Australia today on leading the way and obtaining Lean Six Sigma qualifications equivalent to two thirds of a Bachelor Degree …..

ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT LEADERSHIP

MORGAN JONES (General Manager of Lean Six Sigma for BOC) and ANDREW WALDEN (Head of Business Improvement for Citic Pacific) recently completed the Diploma and Advanced Diploma certification process. They demonstrated extraordinary capability in the utilisation of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to generate significant returns for the companies they work for.

Andrew Walden Receives Advanced Diploma Award

Uncompromising with its standards, Soarent Vision’s LEAN AND SIX SIGMA TRAINING PROGRAM is leading the way in developing genuine business improvement capability.

More information about certification can be obtained here - http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma/certification

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Advanced Diploma in Business Improvement Leadership and Diploma in Business Improvement Leadership are trademarks of Soarent Vision Pty Ltd.

The 2011 version of the final Advanced Diploma in Business Improvement Leadership unit is now available in self-paced form and can be purchased online.

Quality Function Deployment (or QFD) is a process that all Lean Six Sigma Black Belts must learn if they are to (a) be consistent with the global view of what a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt is capable of, and (b) have a complete improvement toolkit.

This course:

1. Is a self paced unit of competency which equates to the equivalent of 2 days of face to face training.
2. Is a unit of competency from the Advanced Diploma in Business Improvement Leadership
3. Can be undertaken at any time, in any training sequence.
4. Can be purchased now with a saving of almost $1,000  (60% discount) to celebrate the release.

Purchase Here

What is QFD?

Let’s describe Quality Function Deployment (QFD) as a systematic process … that translates customer expectations … into measures, technical design requirements and production planning specifications.

It is used extensively in designing processes to produce products (and services) that meet or exceed the changing expectations of customers. It is well known to practitioners of Design For Six Sigma (DFSS). It has design application in a variety of industries or business functions including manufacturing, service delivery and technology development.

QFD Matrix (House of Quality)

Okay, it seems like QFD is somewhat of a process design tool.

So why is QFD important to me?

All businesses that have experienced success with Lean and Six Sigma are very good at clarifying and documenting the voice of customers as well as the business (their needs or requirements).  They’re also good at collecting and displaying performance data linked to those requirements.

The following tools provide process owners with a mechanism for doing these things remarkably well.

• SIPOC provides a framework for recording customer and business requirements.
• Value Stream Analysis (VSA) provides a framework for understanding actual performance against those specified efficiency and effectiveness needs.

SIPOC and VSA go hand in hand when used correctly as process management tools.

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) on the other hand, links the business directly with the customer through a thorough analysis of customer expectations of a product or service. It helps the user determine how they (expectations) connect with what the business is doing.

So, how is QFD important to you?

The first level or layer of QFD can be used as a tool for identifying improvement opportunities … something EVERY BLACK BELT must be able to do well.

This is another weapon in your improvement arsenal!

Purchase Here

This certification information is provided for business improvement professionals seeking a nationally recognised Lean Six Sigma qualification to the Diploma or Advanced Diploma level through a process of RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).

Qualifications Offered by Soarent Vision

The qualifications offered by Soarent Vision are nationally recognised and up to the level of Advanced Diploma (which is 2.3 of a Bachelor Degree).

These are the highest level of nationally recognised qualifications available today.

More information visit here – http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma/certification

Certification

Certification to the level of Diploma (Green Belt) and Advanced Diploma (Black Belt) can be undertaken in two ways -

1. As a student of Soarent Vision’s Academy of Process Mastery; and
2. Through a process of RPL – where Prior Learning and Experience is recognised.

What value do I get from these qualifications?

Certification to the level of Diploma (Green Belt) and Advanced Diploma (Black Belt) are important for a number of reasons.

• The qualifications are based on the DEMONSTRATION OF COMPETENCY, thus they add to the CREDIBILITY of your qualification as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• The qualifications give you GREAT DISTINCTION from the large number of Green Belts and Black Belts in industry today
• The qualifications have the credibility of the national governing body behind all academic qualifications – THE AUSTRALIAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK – www.aqf.edu.au
• As the holder of a Diploma or Advanced Diploma, you are entitled to display the relevant letters in your SIGNATURE BLOCK
• The qualifications may provide the foundation for the next level – a Bachelor Degree (note that Soarent Vision is currently in negotiation with universities in regard to the Bachelor Degree level qualification)
• You will RECEIVE CERTIFICATION for units of competency from a number of other nationally recognised qualifications in the manufacturing industry

How do I (as a BI Professional) get certified through RPL?

The RPL process involves the following steps.

1. Applicants must enrol in the respective course/s and obtain a Certification Kit
2. Assemble documentation that shows competency in certain aspects of the course (as per the guidelines provided)
3. Assemble information about prior work experience, education and application of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
4. Submit the application for assessment to Soarent Vision
5. Participate in a formal examination
6. Participate in a formal interview
7. Demonstrate competency and close any gaps (if you are seeking RPL for the full course of study) left after previous steps

How much does certification through RPL cost?

RPL fees are based on a rate of $220 per unit of competency.

1. The Diploma qualification is comprised of 12 units of competency – $2,640
2. The Advanced Diploma qualification is comprised of 11 units of competency – $2,420

How do I enrol?

Send your details and any relevant inquiries to the RTO Coordinator at this email address – rto@soarent.com.au

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Soarent Vision provides the only nationally recognised Lean Six Sigma specific education program to the level of Advanced Diploma. For more information about certification through the RPL process, visit the website here – http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma-training/certification-rpl

Soarent Vision Provides Nationally Recognised Lean Six Sigma Training

How important is a rigorous Lean Six Sigma certification process and formal recognition to a business improvement professional?

One of the most competent Master Black Belts I have ever met believes it is vitally important for more than just the success of the individual. It’s important to the long-term viability of Lean Six Sigma as a credible improvement methodology. Morgan Jones, BOC’s General Manager Lean Six Sigma, has now been awarded the qualification of Advanced Diploma in Business Improvement Leadership.

No Single Standard Exists

At this time, there is no single standard for certifying Lean Six Sigma practitioners and it is unlikely that it will ever exist. Applied standards of certification for Lean Six Sigma practitioners vary widely across the world. Besides training providers who offer ‘end of course’ certification, a small number of groups offer certification services such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

The reasons why a formal and rigorous certification process is important can be established when we understand what happens in the absence of such a process.

• Little motivation exists for an individual person to properly apply what they learn and generate a return for the company
• Without application in the workplace, all Lean Six Sigma training will remain a ‘cost’ to the business, not an ‘investment’ (Western Mining Corp suffered extensively from this in the mid 2000’s)
• Training lacks credibility (all major corporations that have generated significant returns with Lean Six Sigma have a rigorous certification process in place)

Formal Certification offers benefits to both your organisation and the individuals concerned

FOR YOUR COMPANY

• Establish credibility for the Lean Six Sigma initiative
• Drive application that converts training into a measurable and auditable return to the business
• Build a case to prove Lean Six Sigma training is an ‘investment’, not a ‘cost’
• Build a career progression framework for your highest potential people

FOR YOUR PEOPLE

• Use qualifications when applying for higher tertiary level education (bachelor degree, masters etc)
• Greater promotion prospects within your company
• Stand out amongst company and improvement industry peers
• Fill gaps in their existing business improvement education

I have no doubt that the future credibility and success of Lean Six Sigma initiatives hinge on the rigour and relevance of the certification process.

George Lee Sye

Offering qualifications to the Advanced Diploma level, Soarent Vision is leading the way with its comprehensive Lean Six Sigma certification process. To read more visit http://www.soarent.com.au/lean-six-sigma/academy-process-mastery

The business improvement industry is not governed and is so fragmented it’s creating the situation where anybody can enter it as a consultant and even trainer … regardless of qualifications, experience and competency.

What I am really concerned about is the fact that approximately 80 percent of companies that implement a formal business improvement initiative do not succeed and end up shutting it down. Lots of people are being trained, large numbers of independent consultants are offering business improvement expertise, and consulting companies are offering business improvement packages to their clients …. and yet the failure rate remains high. So what’s wrong?

One of the contributing factors is the lack of standards for training and certification. And I think its about time we did something to change that. So let’s talk about something I believe we do very well - competency certification for Lean Six Sigma practitioners.

For any certification process to be worthwhile and serve clients and the industry in the long-term, it should have these characteristics.

1. A qualification is only issued when COMPETENCY is evident (as opposed to just course participation)
2. Participants MUST APPLY KNOWLEDGE in industry and in a workplace context
3. Participants MUST GENERATE A RETURN because of their application of learnings for their sponsoring company
4. The BODY OF KNOWLEDGE for certification is drawn from a credible source
5. The BODY OF KNOWLEDGE for certification is current and relevant
6. ASSESSORS have demonstrated at least the same level of competency as that being assessed
7. The process of certification is regularly AUDITED by a credible third party or governing body

What are the benefits of formal Lean Six Sigma competency certification?

When competency certification is formalised and has the characteristics listed above, the benefits may include:

• The participant is able to GENERATE RESULTS consistently regardless of industry or context (not just use tools)
• The company concerned realises a benefit and training becomes an INVESTMENT, not a cost
• The business improvement program of the company concerned has greater CREDIBILITY for investors
• If it is a nationally recognised level of award, it could be used in application for higher TERTIARY LEVEL EDUCATION
• A formal process provides much greater CREDIBILITY for the individual’s Lean Six Sigma qualification
• The participant experiences increased EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS
• They stand out amongst their improvement INDUSTRY PEERS
• Any GAPS in existing business improvement education can be filled

At Soarent Vision we take the certification process very seriously.

We now offer Lean Six Sigma qualifications up to and including the level of Advanced Diploma in Business Quality Improvement under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Click HERE if you would like to know more about Soarent Vision’s Lean Six Sigma Certification program.

Click HERE if you would like to know more about the Master Black Belt certification process.

Until next time, take care

George Lee Sye