Lean Certification Pathway
Lean Support Practitioner
"Building the Foundation for Lean Thinking"
Overview:
The Bronze level is designed for individuals new to Lean. It provides a strong foundation in Lean philosophy, basic tools, and terminology. Participants learn to identify waste, understand customer value, and begin applying simple Lean improvements in their daily work.
Who It’s For:
Operators, office staff, new hires, team members, or anyone who needs an introduction to Lean Thinking.
Lean White Belt
Lean Yellow Belt
Lean Yellow Belt
This course provides personal development in Lean Thinking for individuals by offering an introductory overview of its principles and benefits. Participants will gain not only a foundational understanding of Lean Thinking but also insights into the practical advantages and improvements that can be realized through its application. The course fosters both awareness and a deeper comprehension of how Lean Thinking can drive success in personal and professional environments.
Lean Yellow Belt
Lean Yellow Belt
Lean Yellow Belt
This course offers personal development in Lean Thinking by exploring the theory and practical application of the 5 Lean Principles. Participants will learn how to identify and eliminate non-value-added activities (The 7 Lean Wastes) to enhance process flow and support continuous improvement. By focusing on delivering value as defined by the customer, this course equips individuals with the tools to achieve optimal performance and drive sustainable success.
Lean Green Belt
Lean Yellow Belt
Lean Green Belt
This course offers personal development in Lean Thinking by providing a comprehensive understanding of how to implement continuous improvement using the A3 Methodology, A3 Reports, and Pilot Projects. Guided by Deming's PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) Cycle, participants will learn how to drive improvement efforts while ensuring that all team members are aligned and working toward shared goals. This course equips individuals with the skills to lead successful continuous improvement initiatives and foster collaboration.
Lean Certification Pathway
Lean Specialist
"Applying Lean Tools to Improve Flow, Quality, and Stability"
Overview:
The Silver level deepens Lean understanding by teaching how to apply tactical tools that support operational excellence. Participants learn to map value streams, create standards, improve flow, and visually manage operations. These tools enable sustainable improvements in quality, safety, productivity, and cost.
Who It’s For:
Frontline leaders, CI practitioners, supervisors, quality staff, engineers, and Lean team members.
Value Stream Mapping
This course equips participants with the skills to achieve more with less by delivering greater value and higher quality to customers. Through the identification of non-value-added activities, or waste, in the current workflow, participants will learn how to eliminate inefficiencies and create an ideal future state. The course focuses on streamlining processes to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction.
5S
This course offers a structured approach to workplace organization and standardization designed to improve efficiency, safety, and cleanliness. By implementing the 5S methodology: Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, participants will learn how to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and create a well-organized work environment.
Visual Controls
This course teaches how to create a visual value stream that clearly communicates process status at a glance, without words or interruptions. You'll gain practical skills in visual controls and learn to use 5S visual aids, value stream displays, and metrics, enabling your value stream to "speak" to you for improved visibility and communication.
Standard Work
This course focuses on Standardized Work, the fourth key Lean tool for managing operational stability. Lean principles shape how we view processes, while Value Stream Mapping manages value streams, 5S organizes them, visual controls measure them, and Standardized Work documents them. By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of standardized work methodology and hands-on skills that you can apply immediately to foster knowledge, stability, continuous improvement, and respect for people.
Jidoka
This course introduces Jidoka, the first pillar of Lean Thinking, which focuses on embedding quality into processes to create flow in value streams. By using "automation with human intelligence," Jidoka detects and stops errors early to prevent defects from moving downstream. Upon completion, you'll gain practical skills in Jidoka methodology, enabling you to identify and address root causes, enhance process stability, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and respect for people.
Just in Time
This course delves into the Just in Time methodology, a crucial Lean principle focused on aligning production with real customer demand, reducing excess inventory and waste. You'll acquire hands-on skills to apply this strategy, boosting efficiency, lowering costs, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, stability, and respect for people. Upon completion, you'll be equipped to implement Just in Time in your organization, ensuring smoother operations and better alignment with customer needs.
Lean Champion
"Leading Enterprise Transformation and Coaching Future Leaders"
Overview:
The Gold Level develops Lean leaders who can align business strategy with operational excellence. It focuses on system thinking, enterprise-wide Lean deployment, coaching and mentoring, and cultural transformation. Lean Champions are change agents who build sustainable Lean organizations.
Who It’s For:
Site leaders, directors, CI managers, Lean consultants, plant managers, executives, and enterprise Lean coaches.
Lean Black Belt
Lean Master Black Belt
Lean Master Black Belt
The Lean Thinking Black Belt course equips management personnel and team leaders with the tools to implement Lean Thinking through People, Processes, and Quality. By utilizing the Lean Management System and Training Within Industry (TWI), participants will drive improvements in on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, process efficiency, and cost reduction by eliminating waste. Senior management sets long-term objectives, while middle and operations management implement annual goals. Participants will gain hands-on skills in TWI’s four modules: Job Instructions, Job Methods, Job Relations, and Program Development.
Lean Master Black Belt
Lean Master Black Belt
Lean Master Black Belt
The Lean Thinking Master Black Belt course develops lean leadership that challenges the status quo, guides teams, and ensures the optimization of the Lean Management System. Participants will shift from traditional management approaches to becoming teachers and coaches focused on continuous improvement and developing lean leaders. Lean leadership emphasizes cultural change, leading by example, and aligning goals to deliver sustainable value. This approach builds healthy organizations founded on respect for people, learning, and improvement, empowering teams to achieve maximum customer value.