Understanding Body of Knowledge (BoK) in Relation to Official Test

As you may assume, the CSSBB exam questions are based on the Body of Knowledge (BoK) which contains a syllabus of all topics and concepts that should be known and understood by applicants in preparation for the actual certification test. The CSSBB BoK is thus divided into nine main sections from which a certain number of questions will be set:

• Organization-Wide Devising & Execution (12 questions)

Regarding this area, the candidates are expected to have reliable knowledge and understanding of how to make necessary plans and effectively deploy these plans towards improving their organizations. To achieve this, they need to understand the fundamentals of Six Sigma and lean methodologies, learn to apply Six Sigma in solving problems, understand the relationship between business systems as well as processes, and also know how to apply necessary tools in ensuring the achievement of planned initiatives. Furthermore, responsive leadership is essential in this section, which requires that the candidates also understand the importance of delegating roles & responsibilities, and applying innovative skills against possible barriers.

• Management of Processes Including Measures (10 questions)

This domain requires that the candidates get familiar with what it entails to successfully manage an organization. In particular, here, they need to understand the impacts of Six Sigma on the customers, the suppliers, and the generality of the stakeholders. For the best results, exam-takers should also learn to apply best methods and practices when it comes to benchmarking. The candidates need also consider the business aspects along the line of efficiently analyzing the organization's general performance, all in a bid to ensure that adequate financial measures are employed.

• Team Management (18 questions)

The subsections subsumed here under the Team Management topic are team formation, facilitation, dynamics, and training. All these, in general, require that the candidates have a careful understanding of the various complexities that trail the formation, existence, management, and continuity of a team. The subtexts in this case also indicate that while certain decisions and methods may be applicable to some team members, they may not be applicable to others. Therefore, candidates are to have a careful understanding of this simple but delicate aspect of the organization.

• Define (20 questions)

This scope emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between a business and its customers, such that the business organization understands the needs of the customers and how best to meet their needs. This tested area also accentuates the importance of setting measurable goals and objectives, tracking costs, revenues, customer satisfaction, and also making use of certain necessary tools such as the Project Management tools (gantt charts, toll-gate reviews, etc.) and the analytical tools (affinity diagrams, tree diagrams, etc.). Candidates have to get a good grip of the section to clear the final CSSBB test.

• Measure (25 questions)

Under this portion, the candidates will need to understand how to identify and make use of process flow metrics as well as the various process analysis tools. Another aspect of this domain is data collection which would require knowing the different kinds of data existing, sampling them, and employing them to the best of their usability. Other aspects include the need to understand measurement systems and how they can be applied, basic statistics and how plausible conclusions can be drawn from it, probability and how it can be employed in efficient distribution, and, finally, process capability and its long & short term effects on the organization.

• Analyze (22 questions)

This objective, basically, involves measuring and modelling relationships between variables, the features of hypothesis testing, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and extra analysis methods like root cause, waste, and gap analysis.

• Improve (21 questions)

This section involves the Design of Experiments (DOE), lean practices, and deployment. It generally is concerned with ensuring improvements through certain experiments, careful studying, and planning, as well as implementing these plans to ultimately achieve optimum results.

• Control (15 questions)

This is where candidates have to know about different controls such as Statistical Process Control (SPC), other controls, and how to maintain them. The final item in this subcategory here is how to sustain improvements, which involves documenting the lessons learned from the phases of a project and applying such lessons towards improving other activities in the organization.

• Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Architecture and Methodologies (7 questions)

Here, candidates have to get themselves familiar with general DFSS methods, design for X (DFX), and robust outlines. In particular, within such a topic, you'll be enlightened on DMADV & DMADOV principles, design constraints, and the components of statistical tolerancing.

Certification Requirements

Attaining this ASQ designation comes with certain requirements that have to be met. Thus, one of those requirements is the need for the specialists to have either one accomplished project with a signed affidavit or two finished projects, also with signed affidavits. Also, as regards work experience, candidates are required to have been in a full-time paid role for a minimum of three years; internships and other non-full-time roles are not acceptable. In addition to the experience garnered, a prospective CSSBB professional is expected to exude such qualities as the abilities to think creatively, lead skillfully, communicate effectively, and relate efficiently. In other words, the professionals must possess a set of organizational soft skills that would help in ensuring the smooth sailing of the organization they belong to.

Reference: http://asq.org/cert/six-sigma-black-belt