An Introduction to LSS Master Black Belt

Master Black Belt is the highest Lean Six Sigma certification, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their mastery of Lean Six Sigma methodology through the implementation of several improvement projects. In this guide, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about Master Black Belt.

What value does a Master Black Belt add to an organization?

Master Black Belt (MBB) certification adds a significant amount of value to individuals and organizations alike. As well as being a mark of career excellence – distinguishing exceptional leaders from mere great ones – the presence of MBBs in an organization can have a transformational impact on business processes and financial performance.

Certified MBBs will be fully grounded in Lean Six Sigma methodology, which is geared towards improving business performance through quality, reducing costs and creating continuous value for customers. Companies that practice Lean Six Sigma typically benefit from greater levels of customer loyalty, employee satisfaction and productivity, as well as better strategic planning and supply chain management.

By training other employees and departmental heads in Lean Six Sigma, MBBs can play an instrumental role in creating a culture of excellence and quality within their organizations.

What salary can you earn as a Master Black Belt?

The amount of money you can earn as a Master Black Belt depends on numerous factors, including the industry you work in, the number of years you have spent in your chosen profession, and any additional skills, qualifications and certifications you may have.

Various sources quote different figures for the average salary of a Master Black Belt. According to Salary.com, the average Six Sigma MBB salary in the United States was $151,400 as of June 27, 2019, with the range typically falling between $130,700 and $172,700.

However, Indeed.com suggests the average salary for a Certified MBB is $205,000, with Certified Black Belts and Green Belts expecting to earn an average salary of $126,551 and £95,261 respectively.

Why is Juran’s Master Black Belt program unique?

Juran’s Master Black Belt program is founded on over 40 years of quality improvement and change management expertise. We don’t offer a “shortcut” to Master Black Belt certification; we believe the only way to unlock true value for both yourself and your organization is by completing an industry-recognized MBB program that offers a genuine test of Lean Six Sigma knowledge, and challenges participants to deliver tangible, successful improvement projects.

With Juran, you will be trained by a qualified MBB coach, completing a personalized curriculum that combines workshops, technical assignments and review meetings. Your statistical and technical knowledge will be put to the test, you will learn new tools and methods, and apply these learnings during observed instruction sessions.

The Juran MBB program has been developed by a global team of Lean Six Sigma experts, all of whom have a wealth of experience helping organizations implement changes that drastically improve their productivity and profitability.

As the pinnacle of Lean Six Sigma certification, attaining a Master Black Belt should be a true challenge for anyone. The sheer depth of Juran’s MBB program means anyone completing it will be well positioned to drive their organization forward and train others in Lean Six Sigma methodology.

What ROI can be achieved with a Master Black Belt?

Trained and certified Master Black Belts are able to consistently provide top line growth and bottom line savings for your organization. They are able to make sure that your organization continues to expand it continuous improvement program by aligning the program to the business strategy, identifying projects, training personnel, mentoring green and black belts, and providing leadership to the overall program.

Without a Master Black Belt involved in the Continuous Improvement program, it will have a much higher chance of failing or being abandoned, wasting valuable resources in people and funds. On average, personal Juran MBB projects save an organization $1,000,000+, with average savings of $250,000+ expected for projects where the MBB provides coaching support.

Who are the right candidates for the program?

The Juran MBB program is designed for candidates who can think strategically and have already attained Black Belt certification (as well as Green Belt and Yellow Belt). Candidates should be fully committed to becoming an evangelist for culture of excellence principles within their organization, while having a genuine desire to train and educate other leaders in the methodology.

Master Black Belts are inspirational leaders and innovators, always seeking new ways to align business practices with Lean Six Sigma and relentlessly seeking improvement across all processes and departments. Anyone looking to become a MBB requires a high level of drive and determination, not to mention an ability to absorb and understand complex problems.

If you are looking to become a Master Black Belt or require more information, please visit our dedicated program page. Alternatively, why not have a browse of our Knowledge Base to learn more about Lean Six Sigma and other quality improvement methodology.

How do I apply for Juran’s Master Black Belt program?

To apply for Master Black Belt certification, you must already hold an LSS Black Belt and be able to present evidence of four completed quality improvement programs. If you haven’t completed four projects, our team will offer guidance on how you can complete this process. Following a call with a Juran Certified instructor, we will confirm that you have been approved for the MBB program, allowing you to make payment.

How can I pay for Master Black Belt training?

Candidates can either pay via credit card or we can provide an invoice. We are also happy to be flexible with a payment schedule if required.

How much 1-to-1 time do I get?

There isn’t a set amount of hours for 1-to-1 consultation; candidates are free to use as many as they like via web conferencing with their Juran Certified coach.

What is the pass rate for Master Black Belt?

As well as completing various assignments and workshops throughout the program, a candidate must score 70% or higher in the Master Black Belt written examination and successfully complete an oral review/presentation of one completed project. They will also need to illustrate how the case studies can be used in a classroom setting.