Online Principles of Lean Certificate

Validate Your Expertise by Earning a Lean Certificate and Digital Badge

Do you want to increase customer satisfaction, improve quality, raise productivity and make operations run smoother in your organization?

The online certificate in the Principles of Lean will prepare you to become a Lean practitioner capable of recognizing and eliminating wasteful practices that can slow down production and decrease morale.

What You'll Learn

  • icon of a lightbulb

    Gain the knowledge to simplify your procedures and identify what does and does not add value to a process. You will be taught how to:

    • Interpret the purpose and applicability of core Lean tools and methods

    • Define and describe the five principles of Lean

    • Recognize the eight types of waste

    • Complete a value stream map

    • Apply an A3 form to a real-world process

    • Determine customer needs and requirements

Program Expectations

This self-paced program will introduce you to essential Lean tools and concepts and teach you how to apply them to make quick and impactful improvements. Upon your successful completion of the Principles of Lean certificate program, you will be able to:

  • Define the principles and philosophy of Lean

  • Describe the value stream mapping technique

  • Plan and participate in a Kaizen event

  • Identify the eight types of waste in a process

  • Spot value vs. non-value-added activities

Questions? Call 469-619-9940

Let's Get Started

Complete the form below to get started.

Program Details

Program Duration

You'll have 26 weeks to complete the course at your own pace.

Start Date

First Day of Every Month

Program Format

Self-paced

Tuition

$695

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

3.0

Professional Development Units (PDUs)

30

Who should enroll?

This program is designed for working professionals across all industries and roles who want to improve operational performance by eliminating and preventing defects and waste in products, processes and services.

There are no prerequisite requirements to register for the Principles of Lean Certificate program.

icon of a person speaking to three other people

U.S. respondents who completed any level of Six Sigma training earn nearly $12,000 more on average than those without any Six Sigma training.

Source: 2023 ASQ Salary Survey: The Complete Report, December 2023. National long-term projects may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth or salary potential. Certificate program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.

Why SMU?

  • SMU Continuing and Professional Education has offered noncredit learning programs since 1953.

  • SMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

  • Lean Six Sigma programs are taught by industry practitioners who have at least a Black Belt certification designation.

  • Students who successfully complete the program will be issued a digital Principles of Lean badge and certificate through Credly.

SMU alumni are eligible for a 10% tuition reduction.

Program Content Summary

Module 1: Lean Six Sigma Introduction

  • Lean Six Sigma Benefits

  • Lean Six Sigma Roles and Responsibilities

  • Lean Glossary

  • DMAIC Process

  • A3 Form Introduction

Module 2: Lean Principles

  • The Five Principles of Lean

  • Lean Principle 1: Value

  • Lean Principle 2: Value Stream

  • Lean Principle 3: Flow

  • Lean Principle 4: Pull

  • Lean Principle 5: Perfection

Module 3: Waste and the Value Stream

  • The Eight Types of Waste

  • Waste Walks

  • Value Stream Mapping

  • Getting Started on the Value Stream Map

  • Creating a Value Stream Map

Module 4: Lean Methods

  • Identifying Root Causes

  • Lean Pull: Basic and Advanced

  • Lean Flow: Basic and Advanced

  • Spaghetti Mapping

  • Visual Workplace

  • Calculating Takt Time and Applying it to the A3 Form

Module 5: Lean Improvement

  • Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

  • Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

  • Five Steps of OEE

  • Standard Operating Procedures

  • Mistake Proofing

  • Rapid Change

  • Single-Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED)

Module 6: Kaizen

  • 7S Concepts

  • Kaizen Events

  • Types of Kaizen Events

  • Becoming a Kaizen Event Facilitator

  • Kaizen Event Preparation

  • The Five-Day Kaizen Event

Required Materials

The Remedy: Bringing Lean Thinking Out of the Factory to Transform the Entire Organization
ISBN: 978-0-470-55685-6

 

SMU Principles of Lean Badge

Earn a Digital Badge

Complete your certificate and earn a digital badge to add to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Ready to Get Started?

Get in touch with a student success representative for more information!

Lean Six Sigma Articles

    Read More