Difference between Six Sigma and PMP Certification | DLP INDIA

Over the time, Project Management and Six Sigma have helped the struggling companies survive and made the average performing companies stand better. Both these courses are aimed to generate better business outcomes but with a different style and approach.

Project Management or PMI focuses on completing the projects on time and within the stipulated budget. The aim is to deliver an outcome that strikes a perfect match with the original business goal of the project. 

On the other hand, Lean Six Sigma methodology mainly focuses on identifying and eliminating variations and defects in the existing business processes. Six Sigma’s tools and techniques are designed to help organizations reduce defects, cut costs, increase efficiency, and deliver better quality products and services. This eventually helps the organizations in staying more strong and competitive in the market. 

Read Also: How does Six Sigma help in Process Improvement?

To become an aced project management expert, the employee needs to get a Project Management Professional Certification, commonly known as PMP certification which can be pursued at Project Management Institute.   

Those who want to excel in Six Sigma need to pursue Six Sigma certifications which are available as various color-coded belts. Out of different color-coded belts, Lena Six Sigma Green Belt and Black belt are the most preferred and recommended ones. 

As per quality management trends 2018, pursuing either certification will help to elevate employees’ standing within their company and make them an ideal candidate for leadership positions.

Six Sigma Certification

The Six Sigma approach lies in imparting training and education to the professionals and in further preparing them for leadership roles. Lean Six Sigma offers various color belts at different levels. These are the White belt, Yellow belt, Lean Six Sigma Green belt, Black belt and Master Black belt. 

Six Sigma aims at quantification of data in order to identify and eliminate the defects in the business processes. This data-driven approach aims to have not more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. Lean Six Sigma workflow optimization improves the bottom line of the organization by imparting customer as well as employee satisfaction.

Read Also: Benefits of Studying in Australia

PMP certification

PMP is one of the most industry recognized certifications today and is considered to be a pre-requisite for project managers. The certification is conducted by The Project Management Institute which was founded in 1969. The classes are offered both online as well as on-campus. The interested professionals can opt for courses as per their preference and conveyance.   

  

PMP certification validates the competence of the professional as a project manager. The PMP exam is based on PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide which includes standard practices for dealing with various project challenges. This guide is maintained by PMI. As per PMBOK, the main responsibility of a project manager is to:

• Define goals with organizational executives
• Set and stay within a budget
• Break the project into smaller and achievable milestones
• Guide the team to complete the tasks
• Complete the project before a deadline with results that are quality driven

But all in all, a PMP certification helps to increase the success rate of the project.

Key Differences

1. PMP certified professional focuses on improving the success rate of the project but on the other hand a Six Sigma belter aims to identify and eliminate the defects in the existing processes.
2. A certified Lean Six Sigma belter aims to save time, effort as well as money on a specific process. On the contrary, the main aim of a PMP professional is to plan and execute the project.
3. Project management focuses on the timely completion of any project. However, the Six Sigma has a continuous control phase.
4. For problem solving, Six Sigma professionals use a statistically data-driven approach and a project manager uses a standard practice which helps in efficient delivering of the project.   

How do they work together?

Project manager is a champion in implementing the project and a Six Sigma Belter is an expert at identifying and solving a challenge. When blended together, a professional can find a problem and then use PMP skills to ensure an efficient and effective solution gets implemented.

Employing an individual having both project management training and Six Sigma belt may prove to be a great advantage for any organization. Talking about individuals, the best way to avoid job search mistakes is to have both the certifications. This will make them highly eligible for high-level positions in the organizations and an ideal candidate for executive management roles.