Air Academy Associates2024-01-13T18:04:19+00:00

see what our graduates have to say:

Highly recommend especially if your work is directly related to designing experiments with longer run times. This course will assist in pointing out the important factors and how to go on about being most efficient while maintaining a high confidence level.

Karam G., Zurn

The instructor was able to provide feedback/applications for ‘real world’ examples of the subject matter to our processes.

Chris J., Kopp Glass

I would highly recommend this Greenbelt training.  The course and tools are designed to bring success to the students & businesses.  The skills learned will bring value throughout your career.

Cecilia B., Sauer Brands

Where I benefited the most from this course was working through the many examples that were provided during the course.  The content was very well explained which made working through the examples, while the instructor presented them, easy to follow and very helpful.

Rob M., Zurn

The DOE Pro and SPC XL software is amazing!  Used Minitab and JMP previously, and the user interface for this new software makes it far easier to use.

Kai M., Zurn

The course is well thought out and organized.  It provides a systematic approach to test prep, test design, and results analysis of both means and variation.

Rainer E., Zurn

The course it is well presented and detailed and well worth it to establish a base understand of the DoE principles and applicable to just about any project that requires optimization.

Richard M., DST

Highly recommended! The content was explained in an easy-to-understand way, and was practically applied so that you could see it in action.

Justine G., Kopp Glass

This is a great introduction to Design of Experiments and the statistics involved therein.  Don’t feel like you will get lost, the course is done in a very tactful manner that teaches as you go.

Ross J., DST

Don’t waste your time shopping around, partner with Air Academy.  We wasted three months vetting other companies.

Jeff M., Kopp Glass

Instructor clearly has a wealth of knowledge and experience and he was able to convey to us some very complicated ideas and concepts through these examples, as well as his excellent presentation skills.

Brad T., DST

Instructor explained the fundamentals as well as the application of DOE very well. He also helped the students understand how to apply DOE or MSA to their own systems.

Beth H., Sorb Technologies

Who is Air Academy Associates?

Air Academy Associates is a leader in Six Sigma training and certification. Since the beginning of Six Sigma, we’ve played a role and trained the first Black Belts from Motorola. Our proven and powerful curriculum uses a “Keep It Simple Statistically” (KISS) approach. KISS means more power, not less. We develop Lean Six Sigma methodology practitioners who can use the tools and techniques to drive improvement and rapidly deliver business results.

What is Lean Six Sigma?

Lean Six Sigma is all about continuous improvement and puts the customer first. It is a powerful methodology and set of practical tools to improve quality, reduce cycle time and cost, eliminate inefficiencies and bottlenecks, and deliver value to the customer.
Lean Six Sigma uses data and facts to help identify problems’ root cause(s) to achieve lasting improvements. In addition, lean Six Sigma focuses on “better, faster, lower-cost” products, processes, and services that meet customer requirements.

What Is the Lean Six Sigma DMAIC Methodology?

Lean Six Sigma uses the “Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control” (DMAIC) methodology. It starts with Define, where we carefully define the problem we’re trying to solve, the project goals and deliverables, the right project team, and ensure a strong business case.

 

Next, the Measure involves getting a good baseline of the current state. For example, how does the process work today, and what is our current level of performance?

 

Once we’ve gathered relevant data, we determine what needs improvement in Analyze, where we analyze the data and potential causes of poor performance and work to identify the primary root cause(s).

 

Then in Improve, we remember and prioritize improvements needed, pilot the selected improvements, and validate the modification to ensure success.

 

And finally, in the Control phase, we put plans to ensure we maintain those gains. The project gains result in tangible business benefits such as decreased cycle time, cost, waste, etc.

Why Should You Get Certified?

Training alone isn’t enough. You can understand the Lean Six Sigma methodology and tools from a theoretical point of view, but that’s not valuable unless you put it into practice and use it to drive improvement and get tangible results. Hence, the certification focuses on developing practitioners of the Lean Six Sigma methodology who demonstrate knowledge and results.

 

Our Lean Six Sigma certification is competency and project-based. It involves learning, passing a knowledge exam, and completing a project demonstrating clear evidence of the DMAIC process resulting in auditable and validated benefits.

Our Lean Six Sigma certification programs provide the opportunity to:

Develop Expertise in Improvement

The Lean Six Sigma methodology provides a proven and powerful set of tools for achieving breakthrough improvement.

Refine Your Leadership Skills

Lean Six Sigma certification develops leaders in an organization focused on enhancing customer value, decreasing defect rates and wasted efforts, reducing cost and cycle time, and generating business results. Leading a Lean Six Sigma project gives you valuable experience with project management, effective teamwork and communication, critical and out-of-the-box thinking, and sound decision-making.

Get Recognized Worldwide

Lean Six Sigma certification is highly desirable. Organizations committed to improving their processes and delivering long-term bottom-line results understand Lean Six Sigma’s value to their businesses. In addition, the certificate shows an organization that you are committed to excellence and have demonstrated results using the Lean Six Sigma methodology for improvement.

Build an Efficient Organization

The Lean Six Sigma methodology develops a world-class culture for competitive advantage. It empowers teams with the best tools for gaining knowledge quickly and helps an organization become more effective and efficient.

Expand Your Job Opportunities

Lean Six Sigma certification demonstrates you are a problem solver, a practitioner of the Lean Six Sigma methodology, and can get results using sound decision making. In today’s competitive environment, this provides a significant advantage. Organizations worldwide have achieved impressive business results using Lean Six Sigma and prefer to hire professionals with demonstrated Lean Six Sigma experience.

What Are the Different Six Sigma Training (And Belt) Levels?

There are many different levels of Lean Six Sigma professionals, each having a different role.

Champions Training

Designed for leaders and managers responsible for implementing Lean Six Sigma, the Lean Six Sigma Champion training provides an overview of what Lean Six Sigma is all about and the vital roles and responsibilities of an LSS Champion. This training includes creating and maintaining momentum and being a strong advocate.

White Belt Training

The Lean Six Sigma White Belt training is ideal for anyone who wants an essential awareness of Lean Six Sigma and an understanding of the common language.

Yellow Belt Training

The Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt training is ideal for professionals who want to learn what Lean Six Sigma is all about and become proficient in some essential analytical tools. In addition, Yellow Belts may lead smaller rapid improvement projects and are often team members on Lean Six Sigma projects.

Green Belt Training

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training is ideal for professionals who want to become proficient in the Lean Six Sigma methodology and tools. Green Belts leads Lean Six Sigma project teams and ensures that the projects deliver quantifiable benefits.

Black Belt Training

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt training is ideal for professionals who want to be practitioners of the Lean Six Sigma methodology and understand basic and advanced tools. Black Belts typically lead larger Lean Six Sigma projects in the organization, requiring more rigorous analysis. Black Belts also serve as mentors to Green Belts and others.

Master Black Belt Training

The Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt training is ideal for Black Belt professionals who want to become trainers of the Lean Six Sigma methodology or learn more advanced tools. Master Black Belts serve as technical mentors and coaches for other belts in the organization.

Why Should You Learn With Us?

Air Academy Associates is your one-stop solution to Six Sigma, Lean, and other continuous improvement training and certification. We are based in Colorado, USA, and offer many learning options to fit your needs (in-classroom, online, hybrid). We work with individuals as well as small and large organizations.

Top-Notch Instructors

Our instructors have experienced industry experts with a wealth of practical application and a gift for teaching simple and easy concepts to understand.

Over 250,000 Graduates

We have trained well over 250,000 professionals around the world.

More than 30 Years of Experience

Our management team, led by Air Academy Associates’ president and co-founder, Dr. Mark Kiemele, who has over 30 years of teaching, consulting, and coaching expertise, provides a unique skill set that exceeds our competitors.

We also trained some of the earliest Black Belts at the Six Sigma Research Institute.

Premium Courses For You

Choose among the courses that best serve the needs of your company or business.

Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma is for you if you want to learn how to improve processes, reduce waste and inefficiency, and improve quality. We offer online and classroom-based Lean Six Sigma classes and certifications to suit your needs.

Design for Six Sigma

If you want to learn how to design (or redesign) products or processes to provide enhanced customer value and design in quality right from the start, then Design for Six Sigma is for you. DFSS provides a customer-focused design and development strategy, resulting in better products and services brought faster to market at a lower cost. In addition, we offer online and classroom-based Designs for Six Sigma classes and certifications to suit your needs.

Design of Experiments

If you want to learn how to design and analyze efficient experiments, then Design of Experiments is for you. DOE is focused on increasing process knowledge quickly and helps answer questions such as: Which factors have the biggest effect? What are the best settings to optimize performance? How can I reduce variation? Then, you learn how to plan, design, conduct, analyze, and confirm experiments and results.

Leadership Training

We offer the best leadership training for Lean Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma. We help leaders understand how these methodologies can help their business and their roles and responsibilities as champions. This leadership training is essential for enabling successful results.

Short Courses

Have a certain topic you want to learn about? Looking for refresher training to help brush up on a subject? We have hundreds of short courses covering various topics and tools used in Lean Six Sigma, Design for Six Sigma, and continuous improvement.

Free Online Tutorials

If you have a lot of other things going on in your life but are interested in getting started in the world of Lean Six Sigma, we have several free online tutorials that you can use to get started.

Class Arrangements That Fit Your Needs

Our classes are available online and in person! We can accommodate your schedule no matter when or where it is convenient for you to learn. We’re one of the few Lean 6 Sigma training and certification institutes that offer live, in-person, and online classes.

Classroom

If you want to learn in a group setting, we offer classroom-based training in our Denver, Colorado, office or at your facility.

Online

For a more personal experience, you can also take a course from home or office using our self-paced learning video instruction. It’s like sitting in a regular classroom without getting dressed and driving!

Hybrid

Want to combine classroom training with online training? We have hybrid courses that allow you to combine self-paced video instruction with scheduled, live, virtual, or in-class discussions with an Air Academy instructor.

Expert Coaching

We recognize there are times when help outside your organization is needed. When that time comes, benefit from an experienced, tested, and trusted partner. Everyone needs a “lifeline.” We can provide expert coaching through scheduled, one-on-one sessions to help reinforce learning, answer questions, help with project work, and build confidence and competence. We’re here to help.

FAQs

What does a Six Sigma level of quality mean?2022-05-23T10:51:20+00:00

Six Sigma relates to the defect rate per million as a quality measure. It is like a “Richter scale” for quality, where higher numbers are better. For example, 6 sigma capability (sometimes called a sigma rating or sigma quality level) means that over the long run, we have no more than 3.4 defects per million (or a 99.9996% first-pass yield). From benchmarking that the Six Sigma Research Institute did, they found this to be world-class. An average process measures around 4 sigma capability and 6,210 defects per million. Think about airline baggage handling. They lose or misroute about 6,000 bags per million annually, so they are about average on the sigma capability scale. Our goal is to strive toward world-class.

Why is it called Six Sigma?2022-05-23T10:50:53+00:00

The Six Sigma methodology was named after the number of standard deviations from the mean that an organization should aim for in its products and services. The term six Sigma was coined in 1986 by Bill Smith, a Motorola engineer, during a meeting with his quality manager.

What are the lean 6 sigma tools?2022-05-23T10:50:29+00:00

Six Sigma involves the use of many tools. Here are just a few: process mapping, process capability analysis, graphical analysis (histograms, scatter plots, etc.), statistical analysis (hypothesis testing, multiple regression, etc.), 5S, poka-yoke, FMEA, and control charting.

What can you do with a Six Sigma Belt certification?2022-07-25T12:24:55+00:00

The Six Sigma certification symbolizes expertise and knowledge that provides you with an edge to compete in the highly competitive job market. Six Sigma certification will help you land a job or a promotion. It will also increase your potential to earn an excellent salary package and thus, provide you with an opportunity to grow your career.

You can start your career in Six Sigma by becoming a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. The Green Belt is the entry-level certification that most organizations prefer. To become a Six Sigma Black Belt, you will need to complete a Black Belt certification.

Related Pages

Is Six Sigma the same as Lean?2022-05-23T10:49:13+00:00

Traditional Lean focuses on reducing waste and bottlenecks, while traditional Six Sigma focuses on reducing variation and defects. Lean Six Sigma is a combination of both Lean and Six Sigma, focusing on quality and speed and creating value in the eyes of the customer.

How do I become Six Sigma certified?2022-05-23T10:48:25+00:00

You become Six Sigma certified through training, exams, and demonstrated project results. Training can be classroom-based or online. Exams are online to ensure a basic knowledge of the tools and methods. A successful Six Sigma certification demonstrates a practical working knowledge of improving business processes methodologies and using sigma statistical tools that provide tangible business results.

For more information about our training and certification and to get trained by the leading industry experts, contact us today!

If I complete the Six Sigma online program, will I be certified?2022-08-15T14:15:58+00:00

You will be granted your training certificate after completing the online program. Project certification is an option that you may add for an extra cost. Although for you to be Sigma-certified, you must finish a live project of your choice. The additional fee covers up to 4 hours of remote help from one of our Master Black Belts.

Six Sigma relates to the defect rate per million as a quality measure. It is like a “Richter scale” for quality, where higher numbers are better. For example, 6 sigma capability (sometimes called a sigma rating or sigma quality level) means that over the long run, we have no more than 3.4 defects per million (or a 99.9996% first-pass yield). From benchmarking that the Six Sigma Research Institute did, they found this to be world-class. An average process measures around 4 sigma capability and 6,210 defects per million. Think about airline baggage handling. They lose or misroute about 6,000 bags per million annually, so they are about average on the sigma capability scale. Our goal is to strive toward world-class.
The Six Sigma methodology was named after the number of standard deviations from the mean that an organization should aim for in its products and services. The term six Sigma was coined in 1986 by Bill Smith, a Motorola engineer, during a meeting with his quality manager.
Six Sigma involves the use of many tools. Here are just a few: process mapping, process capability analysis, graphical analysis (histograms, scatter plots, etc.), statistical analysis (hypothesis testing, multiple regression, etc.), 5S, poka-yoke, FMEA, and control charting.
The Six Sigma certification symbolizes expertise and knowledge that provides you with an edge to compete in the highly competitive job market. Six Sigma certification will help you land a job or a promotion. It will also increase your potential to earn an excellent salary package and thus, provide you with an opportunity to grow your career.

You can start your career in Six Sigma by becoming a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. The Green Belt is the entry-level certification that most organizations prefer. To become a Six Sigma Black Belt, you will need to complete a Black Belt certification.

Traditional Lean focuses on reducing waste and bottlenecks, while traditional Six Sigma focuses on reducing variation and defects. Lean Six Sigma is a combination of both Lean and Six Sigma, focusing on quality and speed and creating value in the eyes of the customer.
You become Six Sigma certified through training, exams, and demonstrated project results. Training can be classroom-based or online. Exams are online to ensure a basic knowledge of the tools and methods. A successful Six Sigma certification demonstrates a practical working knowledge of improving business processes methodologies and using sigma statistical tools that provide tangible business results.

For more information about our training and certification and to get trained by the leading industry experts, contact us today!

You will be granted your training certificate after completing the online program. Project certification is an option that you may add for an extra cost. Although for you to be Sigma-certified, you must finish a live project of your choice. The additional fee covers up to 4 hours of remote help from one of our Master Black Belts.
Six Sigma certification enhances career prospects by making individuals more marketable and versatile. It demonstrates their ability to drive efficiency, quality, and cost savings, making them valuable assets across industries. Additionally, certified professionals often enjoy better job opportunities, promotions, and increased earning potential.
Implementing Six Sigma is a strategic investment that pays off in the long run. It drives sustained improvements, boosts operational efficiency, and establishes a data-driven culture of excellence. Over time, companies see higher employee engagement, stronger competitiveness, and greater adaptability to market changes.

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