Six Sigma is a process improvement methodology that is important for quality management across a wide range of industries. It is defined by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) as “a method that provides organizations tools to improve the capability of their business processes” by reducing variation in output and improving performance and profitability. “Sigma” refers to standard deviations, or the variance of a set of data from its mean, and “six sigma” processes result in plus or minus three standard deviations (i.e. six total standard deviations) from the center line in a control chart.

As this name and definition suggest, Six Sigma methodology places a strong emphasis on statistics and rigorous data analysis. While there can be some differences in specific implementations of these techniques, a particularly emblematic and widely shared methodology used by virtually all Six Sigma professionals is the process known as the “DMAIC” cycle: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control.

Lean methods of process improvement are closely related to Six Sigma, and in fact are sometimes combined as “Lean Six Sigma.” While both methodologies rely on statistics-driven approaches to quality management, lean approaches focus on eliminating waste and non-value added processes, in contrast to the traditional Six Sigma emphasis on reducing variation and improving control. In practice, these techniques are often interrelated and complement each other, as both work towards the goal of delivering the highest level of quality at the lowest cost.

Because Six Sigma techniques can be applied in any business that require a high level of process control and efficiency, an education in this methodology is a gateway to a wide range of careers. Industries that employ Six Sigma professionals include manufacturing, construction, mining, design, and agriculture, and typical roles using these skills are found in project management, operations management, and supply chain management.

While an education in Six Sigma can be acquired through courses at a variety of institutions, specific certification in Six Sigma (and/or Lean Six Sigma) methodology are provided by organizations such as ASQ, the Council for Six Sigma Certification, and the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC). Practitioners are awarded “belts” based on their level of expertise in a similar fashion as the marital arts, progressing from yellow belt to green belt to black belt.

Yes, Coursera offers individual courses as well as Specializations spanning multiple courses that can prepare you for Six Sigma certification, as well as courses to provide you with additional tools to complement your Six Sigma (and and Lean Six Sigma) education.

Because these courses are offered by renowned institutions like the University of Georgia, the University of Amsterdam, and Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, you can learn online while maintaining a high level of quality control over your own education. Learning online also allows you to complete course materials on a flexible schedule, making them an ideal fit for working professionals that want to add new skills to their toolkit.