Select Page
IASSC Accredited Training Organization

90% of Six Sigma programs fail.
Ours don't.

We teach Lean Six Sigma the way it actually works. You get free Master Black Belt mentorship. You apply tools to your real projects. And you earn a credential that holds up worldwide.

IASSC Accredited
Only
10%
Of programs deliver lasting results
5,322+
Certified
600+
Organizations
52
Cities
The problem with most programs

90%

Most Lean Six Sigma deployments fail or quit within 18 months.

Source: Why They Fail, Kevin Clay (2023)

Why most programs fail

  • Curriculum runs four to six weeks. Students burn out before they finish.
  • Textbook examples feel generic. They never connect to real work.
  • Mentorship ends with the class. Students get stuck on their first project.
  • Certification mills sell credentials with no quality bar.
  • Leadership buy in is never built into the program.

How we are different

  • Our five day format covers the 20% of tools used 80% of the time.
  • You bring your real projects into class. No abstract case studies.
  • Free Master Black Belt mentorship continues until your project ships.
  • IASSC accredited courseware. Instructors with 15 plus years of experience.
  • A standardized DMAIC roadmap guides every project from day one.
Three ways to learn

Pick the path that fits how you work.

Public, onsite, or live virtual. You get the same Master Black Belt instructors. You get the same IASSC accredited curriculum. The format flexes to fit how you actually want to learn.

Public training

Learn alongside professionals from other companies in 52 cities worldwide.

  • Small class sizes
  • IASSC accredited
  • Project mentorship included

See public schedule →

Live virtual

Same quality as in person. Classes stay under 10 students. Master Black Belt instructors teach live. You attend from anywhere.

  • Under 10 students
  • Live instructor
  • Same certification

See virtual dates →

Your journey

From beginner to Master Black Belt.

Click any belt to see what's covered, who it's for, and how long it takes.

White Belt

For everyone in the organization. A common language for process improvement.
+
Duration
2 to 4 hours
Format
Self paced online
Prerequisite
None

You will get a foundational awareness of Lean Six Sigma principles. It works well for executives, support staff, and anyone who works alongside certified practitioners. The course covers terminology, the DMAIC cycle, and the role of process improvement in continuous quality.

Yellow Belt

For team members supporting Green and Black Belt projects.
+
Duration
1 to 2 days
Format
Virtual or in person
Prerequisite
None

You will build a deeper understanding of process improvement methodology. You will learn DMAIC, basic statistical tools, and how to actively contribute to improvement projects led by Green or Black Belts.

Green Belt

Most popular. For practitioners leading their own improvement projects.
+
Duration
4 days
Format
Virtual or in person
IASSC Exam
Included

This is the certification most professionals need. You will lead your own DMAIC projects from start to finish. You will apply statistical analysis, root cause investigation, and process control. The package includes free Master Black Belt mentorship until your certification project is complete.

Black Belt

For senior practitioners leading enterprise scale improvement.
+
Duration
10 days
Format
Virtual or in person
Prerequisite
Green Belt or equivalent

You will master advanced statistical methods, project portfolio management, and team leadership. Black Belts lead multiple cross functional improvement initiatives. They also mentor Green Belts on their projects. The course includes the IASSC certification exam.

Master Black Belt

Strategic deployment leadership. Trains other Belts.
+
Duration
15 plus days
Format
Cohort based
Prerequisite
Black Belt plus experience

This is the most senior level. Master Black Belts lead organizational deployment, coach other Belts, and report directly to executive sponsors. The curriculum includes change management, financial analysis of improvement portfolios, and enterprise governance.

Trust

Trusted by organizations that demand results.

IASSC

IASSC Accredited Training Organization

The International Association for Six Sigma Certification validates our courseware quality, our instructor credentials, and how we deliver training. You can verify our status directly with them.

Verify our accreditation
Free resources

Download our training brochures.

Get the full curriculum, schedules, and pricing for every certification level. We do not ask for your email.

Who's behind SSDSI
Kevin Clay, founder of SSDSI

Built by someone who's been to the edge and back.

Two weeks before commissioning into the Air Force, Kevin Clay suffered a near fatal cerebral hemorrhage. He spent 29 days in a coma. Recovery took two years. The experience changed how he thought about what it really takes to finish what you start.

He founded SSDSI in 2008 to fix what he kept seeing in Six Sigma training. Programs were designed to look comprehensive. In practice, they almost guaranteed that students would quit before delivering results. Today he writes the Why They Fail book and hosts the podcast that the rest of the industry quietly references.

Read Kevin's full story
"
SSDSI's instructors don't just teach theory. They have been in our shoes, running real improvement projects in operationally complex environments, and it shows in every session.
VL
Vanessa Loius
Lead, Performance Excellence, Canada Post
Why They Fail by Kevin Clay — Book cover
The book

Why They Fail ...and the Simple Key to Success.

By Kevin Clay, Master Black Belt

The book that explains why over 90% of Lean Six Sigma deployments fail or quit within 18 months, and the Simple Key to building a sustainable improvement effort that actually delivers.

What's inside
  • Six real-world failure scenarios from multi-million-dollar companies
  • The five top reasons organizations fail to sustain improvement efforts
  • The seven-step foundation for building a sustainable improvement culture
  • How to capture the voice of the organization, not just its leaders
Why They Fail, a podcast with Kevin Clay
The podcast

Why continuous improvement initiatives actually break.

Honest conversations about what kills Lean Six Sigma deployments. And how to bring them back when they stall.

Latest episode
Beyond the Shiny Kanban: Driving a Real EBITDA Explosion
Common questions

Everything you'd want to know before enrolling.

Don't see your question? Call us at 866-922-6566 or send us a note.

Is the certification globally recognized? +
Yes. Our IASSC accredited certifications are recognized across industries worldwide. IASSC is the most widely respected independent certification body for Lean Six Sigma. They vet training organizations like ours on courseware quality, instructor experience, and delivery standards.
What's the difference between Green Belt and Black Belt? +
Green Belts lead individual improvement projects within their function. A typical project runs 3 to 6 months. Black Belts work at a higher level. They lead multiple cross functional projects, mentor Green Belts, and shape program strategy. Most professionals start with Green Belt and add Black Belt as their scope grows.
How long does certification take from start to finish? +
Class runs 4 days for Green Belt and 10 days for Black Belt. After class, you complete a real improvement project at work. That usually takes 3 to 4 months. A Master Black Belt is available for mentorship the whole time. Total time from enrollment to certification is usually 4 to 6 months.
Do I get mentorship after the class ends? +
Yes, and it's free. Every Green Belt and Black Belt student gets ongoing access to a Master Black Belt mentor until the certification project is complete. This is the single biggest reason our completion rate is so much higher than the industry average.
Is virtual training really as effective as in person? +
For our format, yes. We cap virtual classes at fewer than 10 students. That lets the instructor engage with everyone individually. Our hands on simulations are designed to work in a virtual setting. Most students rate virtual delivery equal to or better than in person on post class surveys.
What if my certification project takes longer than expected? +
No problem. There's no time limit on completing your project. Your mentor stays available for as long as you need. Real improvement projects often take longer than students expect, and that's fine. We'd rather you finish a meaningful project than rush a superficial one.
What's included in the cost? +
Full instruction by a Master Black Belt, all course materials, the IASSC certification exam fee, ongoing mentorship until project completion, and access to our online resource library. No hidden costs. The price you see is the full price for the certification.
Can I get a team discount? +
Yes. Onsite training is the most cost effective option for groups of 8 or more. The cost stays fixed regardless of class size, up to 20 employees. For smaller groups attending public or virtual classes, we offer volume discounts. Contact us for a team quote.
Ready when you are

Ready to be in the 10%?

Get $500 off your next Green Belt or Black Belt training.

Or call us directly: 866-922-6566