ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt Study Guide
The ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt Study Guide is a free, quick-reference list of
essential material to prepare for and pass the certification exam. Master the
ASQ Six Sigma Blackbelt Body of Knowledge with this Study Guide.
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Use this page as your ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt Study Guide. All Body of
Knowledge topics required for the exam are mapped to study notes and
example problems. Also, read here to see how I prepared and passed the ASQ
Black Belt exam.
I. Enterprise-Wide Deployment [9 Questions]
A. Enterprise-wide view
1. History of continuous improvement
Describe the origins of continuous improvement and its impact on other
improvement models. (Remember)
2. Value and foundations of Six Sigma
Describe the value of Six Sigma, its philosophy, history and goals. (Understand)
3. Value and foundations of Lean
Describe the value of Lean, its philosophy, history and goals. (Understand)
4. Integration of Lean and Six Sigma
Describe the relationship between Lean and Six Sigma. (Understand)
5. Business processes and systems
Describe the relationship among various business processes (design,
production, purchasing, accounting, sales, etc.) and the impact these
relationships can have on business systems. (Understand)
6. Six sigma and Lean applications
Describe how these tools are applied to processes in all types of enterprises:
manufacturing, service, transactional, product and process design, innovation,
etc. (Understand)
B. Leadership
1. Enterprise leadership responsibilities
Describe the responsibilities of executive leaders and how they affect
the deployment of Six Sigma in terms of providing resources, managing
change, communicating ideas, etc. (Understand)
2. Organizational roadblocks
Describe the impact an organization’s culture and inherent structure can have
on the success of Six Sigma, and how deployment failure can result from the
lack of resources, management support, etc.; identify and apply various
techniques to overcome these barriers. Critical Success Factors to Six
Sigma (Apply)
3. Change management
Describe and use various techniques for facilitating and managing
organizational change. (Apply)
4. Six Sigma projects and kaizen events
Describe how projects and kaizen events are selected, when to use Six Sigma
instead of other problem-solving approaches, and the importance of aligning
their objectives with organizational goals. (Apply)
5. Six Sigma roles and responsibilities
Describe the roles and responsibilities of Six Sigma participants: black
belt, master black belt, green belt, champion, process owners and project
sponsors. (Understand)
II. Organizational Process Management and Measures [9 Questions]
A. Impact on stakeholders
Describe the impact Six Sigma projects can have on customers, suppliers and
other stakeholders. (Understand)
B. Critical to x (CTx) requirements
Define and describe various CTx requirements (critical to quality (CTQ), cost
(CTC), process (CTP), safety (CTS), delivery (CTD), etc.) and the importance of
aligning projects with those requirements. (Apply)
Critical to Client
Critical to Quality Tree
C. Benchmarking
Define and distinguish between various types of benchmarking, including best
practices, competitive, collaborative, etc. (Apply)
D. Business performance measures
Define and describe various business performance measures, including
balanced scorecard, key performance indicators (KPIs), the financial impact of
customer loyalty, etc. (Understand)
E. Financial measures
Define and use financial measures, including revenue growth, market share,
margin, cost of quality (COQ), net present value (NPV), return on investment
(ROI), cost benefit analysis, etc. (Apply)
III. Team Management [16 Questions]
A. Team formation
1. Team types and constraints
Define and describe various types of teams (e.g., formal, informal, virtual,
cross-functional, self-directed, etc.), and determine what team model will work
best for a given situation. Identify constraining factors including geography,
technology, schedules, etc. (Apply)
2. Team roles
Define and describe various team roles and responsibilities, including leader,
facilitator, coach, individual member, etc. (Understand)
3. Team member selection
Define and describe various factors that influence the selection of team
members, including required skills sets, subject matter expertise, availability,
etc. (Apply)
4. Launching teams
Identify and describe the elements required for launching a team, including
having management support, establishing clear goals, ground rules and
timelines, and how these elements can affect the team’s success. (Apply)
B. Team facilitation
1. Team motivation
Describe and apply techniques that motivate team members and support and
sustain their participation and commitment. (Apply)
2. Team stages
Facilitate the team through the classic stages of development: forming,
storming, norming, performing and adjourning. (Apply)
3. Team communication
Identify and use appropriate communication methods (both within the team
and from the team to various stakeholders) to report progress, conduct
milestone reviews and support the overall success of the project. (Apply)
C. Team dynamics
Identify and use various techniques (e.g., coaching, mentoring, intervention,
etc.) to overcome various group dynamic challenges, including
overbearing/dominant or reluctant participants, feuding and other forms of
unproductive disagreement, unquestioned acceptance of opinions as facts,
group-think, floundering, rushing to accomplish or finish, digressions, tangents,
etc. (Evaluate)
D. Time management for teams
Select and use various time management techniques including publishing
agendas with time limits on each entry, adhering to the agenda, requiring pre-
work by attendees, ensuring that the right people and resources are available,
etc. (Apply)
E. Team decision-making tools
Define, select and use tools such as brainstorming, nominal group
technique, multi-voting, etc. (Apply)
F. Management and planning tools
Define, select and apply the following tools: affinity diagrams, tree
diagrams, process decision program charts (PDPC), matrix
diagrams, interrelationship digraphs, prioritization matrices and activity
network diagrams. (Apply)
G. Team performance evaluation and reward
Measure team progress in relation to goals, objectives and other metrics that
support team success and reward and recognize the team for its
accomplishments. (Analyze)
IV. Define [15 Questions]
A. Voice of the customer
1. Customer identification
Segment customers for each project and show how the project will impact
both internal and external customers. (Apply)
2. Customer feedback
Identify and select the appropriate data collection method (surveys, focus
groups, interviews, observation, etc.) to gather customer feedback to better
understand customer needs, expectations and requirements. Ensure that the
instruments used are reviewed for validity and reliability to avoid introducing
bias or ambiguity in the responses. (Apply)
3. Customer requirements
Define, select and use appropriate tools to determine customer requirements,
such as CTQ flow-down, quality function deployment (QFD) and the Kano
model. (Apply)
B. Project charter
1. Problem statement
Develop and evaluate the problem statement in relation to the project’s
baseline performance and improvement goals. (Create)
2. Project scope
Develop and review project boundaries to ensure that the project has value to
the customer. (Analyze)
3. Goals and objectives
Develop the goals and objectives for the project on the basis of the problem
statement and scope. (Apply)
4. Project performance measures
Identify and evaluate performance measurements (e.g., cost, revenue,
schedule, etc.) that connect critical elements of the process to key outputs.
(Analyze)
C. Project tracking
Identify, develop and use project management tools, such as schedules, Gantt
charts, toll-gate reviews, etc., to track project progress.
Also see Project Management.
(Create)
V. Measure [26 Questions]
A. Process characteristics
1. Input and output variables
Identify these process variables and evaluate their relationships
using SIPOC and other tools. (Evaluate)
2. Process flow metrics
Evaluate process flow and utilization to identify waste and constraints by
analyzing work in progress (WIP), work in queue (WIQ), touch time, takt time,
cycle time, throughput, etc. (Evaluate)
3. Process analysis tools
Analyze processes by developing and using value stream maps, process
maps, flowcharts, procedures, work instructions, spaghetti diagrams, circle
diagrams, etc. (Analyze)
B. Data collection
1. Types of data
Define, classify and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data, continuous
(variables) and discrete (attributes) data and convert attributes data to
variables measures when appropriate. (Evaluate)
2. Measurement scales
Define and apply nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio measurement
scales. (Apply)
3. Sampling methods
Define and apply the concepts related to sampling (e.g., representative
selection, homogeneity, bias, etc.).
Select and use appropriate sampling methods (e.g., random sampling, stratified
sampling, systematic sampling, etc.) that ensure the integrity of data. (Evaluate)
4. Collecting data
Develop data collection plans, including consideration of how the data will be
collected (e.g., check sheets, data coding techniques, automated data
collection, etc.) and how it will be used. (Apply)
C. Measurement systems
1. Measurement methods
Define and describe measurement methods for both continuous and discrete
data. (Understand)
2. Measurement systems analysis
Use various analytical methods (e.g., repeatability and reproducibility
(R&R), correlation, bias, linearity, precision to tolerance, percent agreement,
etc.) to analyze and interpret measurement system capability for variables and
attributes measurement systems. (Evaluate)
3. Measurement systems in the enterprise
Identify how measurement systems can be applied in marketing, sales,
engineering, research and development (R&D), supply chain management,
customer satisfaction and other functional areas. (Understand)
4. Metrology
Define and describe elements of metrology, including calibration systems,
traceability to reference standards, the control and integrity of standards and
measurement devices, etc. (Understand)
D. Basic statistics
1. Basic terms
Define and distinguish between population parameters and sample statistics
(e.g., proportion, mean, standard deviation, etc.) (Apply)
2. Central limit theorem
Describe and use this theorem and apply the sampling distribution of the mean
to inferential statistics for confidence intervals, control charts, etc. (Apply)
3. Descriptive statistics
Calculate and interpret measures of dispersion and central tendency and
construct and interpret frequency distributions and cumulative frequency
distributions. (Evaluate)
4. Graphical methods
Construct and interpret diagrams and charts, including box-and-whisker
plots, run charts, scatter diagrams, histograms, normal probability plots, etc.
(Evaluate)
5. Valid statistical conclusions
Define and distinguish between enumerative (descriptive) and analytic
(inferential) statistical studies and evaluate their results to draw valid
conclusions. (Evaluate)
E. Probability
1. Basic concepts
Describe and apply probability concepts such as independence, mutually
exclusive events, multiplication rules, complementary probability, joint
occurrence of events, etc. (Apply)
2. Commonly used distributions
Describe, apply and interpret the following
distributions: normal, Poisson, binomial, chi square, Student’s t and F
distributions. (Evaluate)
3. Other distributions
Describe when and how to use the following
distributions: hypergeometric, bivariate, exponential, lognormal and Weibull.
(Apply)
F. Process capability
1. Process capability indices
Define, select and calculate Cp and Cpk to assess process capability. (Evaluate)
2. Process performance indices
Define, select and calculate Pp, Ppk and Cpm to assess process
performance. (Evaluate)
3. Short-term and long-term capability
Describe and use appropriate assumptions and conventions when only short-
term data or attributes data are available and when long-term data are
available. Interpret the relationship between long-term and short-term
capability. (Evaluate)
4. Process capability for non-normal data
Identify non-normal data and determine when it is appropriate to use Box-
Cox or other transformation techniques. (Apply)
5. Process capability for attributes data
Calculate the process capability and process sigma level for attributes data.
(Apply)
6. Process capability studies
Describe and apply elements of designing and conducting process capability
studies, including identifying characteristics and specifications, developing
sampling plans and verifying stability and normality. (Evaluate)
7. Process performance vs. specification
Distinguish between natural process limits and specification limits, and
calculate process performance metrics such as percent defective, parts per
million (PPM), defects per million opportunities (DPMO), defects per unit
(DPU), process sigma, rolled throughput yield (RTY), etc. (Evaluate)
VI. Analyze [24 Questions]
A. Measuring and modeling relationships between variables
1. Correlation coefficient
Calculate and interpret the correlation coefficient and its confidence interval,
and describe the difference between correlation and causation. (Analyze)
NOTE: Serial correlation will not be tested.
2. Regression
Calculate and interpret regression analysis, and apply and interpret hypothesis
tests for regression statistics. Use the regression model for estimation and
prediction, analyze the uncertainty in the estimate, and perform a residuals
analysis to validate the model. (Evaluate) NOTE: Models that have non-linear
parameters will not be tested.
• Linear Regression
• Logisitic Regression
• Multiple Linear Regression
3. Multivariate tools
Use and interpret multivariate tools such as principal components, factor
analysis, discriminant analysis, multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), etc., to
investigate sources of variation. (Analyze)
4. Multi-vari studies
Use and interpret charts of these studies and determine the difference
between positional, cyclical and temporal variation. (Analyze)
5. Attributes data analysis
Analyze attributes data using logit, probit, logistic regression, etc., to
investigate sources of variation. (Analyze)
B. Hypothesis testing
1. Terminology
Define and interpret the significance level, power, type I and type II errors of
statistical tests. (Evaluate)
2. Statistical vs. practical significance
Define, compare and interpret statistical and practical significance. (Evaluate)
3. Sample size
Calculate sample size for common hypothesis tests (e.g., equality of means,
equality of proportions, etc.). (Apply)
4. Point and interval estimates
Define and distinguish between confidence and prediction intervals. Define
and interpret the efficiency and bias of estimators. Calculate tolerance and
confidence intervals. (Evaluate)
5. Tests for means, variances and proportions
Use and interpret the results of hypothesis tests for means, variances and
proportions. (Evaluate)
6. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
Select, calculate and interpret the results of ANOVAs. (Evaluate)
7. Goodness-of-fit (chi square) tests
Define, select and interpret the results of these tests. (Evaluate)
8. Contingency tables Select, develop and use contingency tables to determine
statistical significance. (Evaluate)
9. Non-parametric tests
Select, develop and use various non-parametric tests, including Mood’s
Median, Levene’s test, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, etc. (Evaluate)
C. Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)
Describe the purpose and elements of FMEA, including risk priority number
(RPN), and evaluate FMEA results for processes, products and services.
Distinguish between design FMEA (DFMEA) and process FMEA (PFMEA), and
interpret results from each. (Evaluate)
D. Additional analysis methods
1. Gap analysis
Use various tools and techniques (gap analysis, scenario planning, etc.) to
compare the current and future state in terms of pre-defined metrics. (Analyze)
2. Root cause analysis
Define and describe the purpose of root cause analysis, recognize the issues
involved in identifying a root cause, and use various tools (e.g., the 5
whys, Pareto charts, fault tree analysis, cause and effect diagrams, etc.) for
resolving chronic problems. (Evaluate)
3. Waste analysis
Identify and interpret the 7 classic wastes (overproduction, inventory, defects,
over-processing, waiting, motion and transportation) and other forms of waste
such as resource under-utilization, etc. (Analyze)
VII. Improve [23 Questions]
A. Design of experiments (DOE)
1. Terminology
Define basic DOE terms, including independent and dependent variables,
factors and levels, response, treatment, error, etc. (Understand)
2. Design principles
Define and apply DOE principles, including power and sample size, balance,
repetition, replication, order, efficiency, randomization, blocking,
interaction, confounding, resolution, etc. (Apply)
3. Planning experiments
Plan, organize and evaluate experiments by determining the objective,
selecting factors, responses and measurement methods, choosing the
appropriate design, etc. (Evaluate)
4. One-factor experiments
Design and conduct completely randomized, randomized block and Latin
square designs and evaluate their results. (Evaluate)
5. Two-level fractional factorial experiments
Design, analyze and interpret these types of experiments and describe how
confounding affects their use. (Evaluate)
6. Full factorial experiments
Design, conduct and analyze full factorial experiments. (Evaluate)
B. Waste elimination
Select and apply tools and techniques for eliminating or preventing waste,
including pull systems, kanban, 5S, standard work, poka-yoke, etc. (Analyze)
C. Cycle-time reduction
Use various tools and techniques for reducing cycle time, including continuous
flow, single-minute exchange of die (SMED), etc. (Analyze)
D. Kaizen and kaizen blitz
Define and distinguish between these two methods and apply them in various
situations. (Apply)
E. Theory of constraints (TOC)
Define and describe this concept and its uses. (Understand)
F. Implementation
Develop plans for implementing the improved process (i.e., conduct pilot tests,
simulations, etc.), and evaluate results to select the optimum solution.
(Evaluate)
G. Risk analysis and mitigation
Use tools such as feasibility studies, SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats), PEST analysis (political, environmental, social and
technological) and consequential metrics to analyze and mitigate risk. (Apply)
VIII. Control [21 Questions]
A. Statistical process control (SPC)
1. Objectives
Define and describe the objectives of SPC, including monitoring and
controlling process performance, tracking trends, runs, etc., and reducing
variation in a process. (Understand)
2. Selection of variables
Identify and select critical characteristics for control chart monitoring. (Apply)
3. Rational subgrouping
Define and apply the principle of rational subgrouping. (Apply)
4. Control chart selection
Select and use the following control charts in various situations: X¯ – R, X¯ –
s, individual and moving range (ImR), attribute charts (p, np, c, u), short-run SPC
and moving average. (Apply)
5. Control chart analysis
Interpret control charts and distinguish between common and special
causes using rules for determining statistical control. (Analyze)
B. Other control tools
1. Total productive maintenance (TPM)
Define the elements of TPM and describe how it can be used to control the
improved process. (Understand)
2. Visual factory
Define the elements of a visual factory and describe how they can help control
the improved process. (Understand)
C. Maintain controls
1. Measurement system re-analysis
Review and evaluate measurement system capability as process
capability improves, and ensure that measurement capability is sufficient for its
intended use. (Evaluate)
2. Control plan
Develop a control plan for ensuring the ongoing success of the improved
process including the transfer of responsibility from the project team to the
process owner. (Apply)
D. Sustain improvements
1. Lessons learned
Document the lessons learned from all phases of a project and identify how
improvements can be replicated and applied to other processes in the
organization. (Apply)
2. Training plan deployment
Develop and implement training plans to ensure continued support of the
improved process. (Apply)
3. Documentation
Develop or modify documents including standard operating procedures (SOPs),
work instructions, etc., to ensure that the improvements are sustained over
time. (Apply)
4. Ongoing evaluation
Identify and apply tools for ongoing evaluation of the improved process,
including monitoring for new constraints, additional opportunities for
improvement, etc. (Apply)
IX. Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Frameworks
and Methodologies [7 Questions]
A. Common DFSS methodologies
Identify and describe these methodologies. (Understand)
1. DMADV (define, measure, analyze, design and validate)
2. DMADOV (define, measure, analyze, design, optimize and validate)
B. Design for X (DFX)
Describe design constraints, including design for cost, design for
manufacturability and producibility, design for test, design for maintainability,
etc. (Understand)
C. Robust design and process
Describe the elements of robust product design, tolerance design and
statistical tolerancing. (Apply)
D. Special design tools
1. Strategic
Describe how Porter’s five forces analysis, portfolio architecting and other
tools can be used in strategic design and planning. (Understand)
