Six Sigma Implementation Roles

Six Sigma Roles and General Common Sense
Peter Sheffield, Vietnam
As a martial artist of many years training I like the idea of grading people. However high level managers and people who can think of, and apply protocols to problems are born, not taught in a class room. I could teach several students the same techniques over months, but only some would do it naturally. It takes the right people with an innate common sense to be able to see the big picture. Time would be better spent testing the type, level of IQ and EQ before even putting those people into the classroom.
Systems are under performing... the human side has been neglected with the importance being placed on learning coded language and abbreviations, rather than plain understanding. Basically they are taught a system, not how to think and many (not all!) can't think out of the box.
Some people will find the same solution without any knowledge of the existing system. This tells us that this 'Sense' is 'Common'. Don't take any system as the gospel.

Six Sigma Roles
Prakash rao, INDIA
The above six sigma role definition is very clear. To implement six sigma and lean knowledge is only one part, attitude is very important other part. As a leader one has to lead the team rather than pulling and pushing. Hence AKD (Aspire,Know and Do) is critical in implementing lean six sigma.

Can Six Sigma Be Made Flatter
Jagdish B Acharya, Consultant, India
With so many roles and levels, Six Sigma has its own hierarchy. Can this not be simplified and made flat?
I find more people talking about color of belt than Sigma or Variation. Can we change this perception, which may be there in the minds of many?

Six Sigma Implementation Roles
Jaap de Jonge, Editor, Netherlands
According to Wikipedia, Six Sigma identifies several key roles for its successful implementation.
- Executive Leadership includes the CEO and other members of top management. They are responsible for setting up vision for Six Sigma implementation. They also empower the other role holders with the freedom and resources to explore new ideas for breakthrough improvements.
- Champions take responsibility for Six Sigma implementation across the organization in an integrated manner. The Executive Leadership draws them from upper management. Champions also act as mentors to Black Belts.
- Master Black Belts, identified by champions, act as in-house coaches on Six Sigma. They devote 100% of their time to Six Sigma. They assist champions and guide Black Belts and Green Belts. Apart from statistical tasks, they spend their time on ensuring consistent application of Six Sigma across various functions and departments.
- Black Belts operate under Master Black Belts to apply Six Sigma methodology to specific projects. They devote 100% of their time to Six Sigma. They primarily focus on Six Sigma project execution, whereas Champions and Master Black Belts focus on identifying projects/functions for Six Sigma.
- Green Belts are the employees who take up Six Sigma implementation along with their other job responsibilities, operating under the guidance of Black Belts.
- Some organizations use additional belt colours, such as Yellow Belts, for employees that have basic training in Six Sigma tools and generally participate in projects and 'white belts' for those locally trained in the concepts but do not participate in the project team

Three Six Sigma Roles May Be Better
Jagdish B Acharya, Consultant, India
@Jaap has comprehensively listed all the roles as envisioned by the big originators who made Six Sigma a cult. However some roles mix up and we may have really three major roles or levels in SIx Sigma:
1. Facilitators - who have vision and authorize and lead the Six Sigma movement.(Executive Leadership and Champions)
2. Domain experts - who have the know how of the process, its intricacies, limitations and provide solutions to hurdles that may come its way.(Master and normal Black Belts)
3. Project executors - who execute projects and bring in improvements by this methodology.(Green Belts and others)
In each of these levels and within detailed roles as mentioned in Wikipedia there will also be shades of variation which is natural and need not concern us.
With these three broad roles organizations which want to implement Six Sigma will not be afraid of logistics problems and may initiate the process early.