Certification Details

Certified Lean Operations Strategist - CLOS™

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Overview

Black Belts operate under the guidance of Master Black Belts to apply Six Sigma methodologies to specific, high-impact projects. Unlike Green Belts, these professionals devote 100% of their time to Six Sigma, focusing primarily on project execution and specialized leadership. While Champions and Master Black Belts are responsible for identifying high-level functions for improvement, the Certified Lean Operations Strategist - CLOS™® leads these projects in a full-time capacity. They possess a mastery of every phase within the DMAIC framework and are skilled at interpreting advanced Six Sigma tools. As experts in the field, they are capable of explaining complex philosophies and supporting systems to the rest of the organization, ensuring that Lean principles are integrated into the core business strategy.

In addition to technical expertise, a Black Belt must demonstrate strong team leadership and a deep understanding of team dynamics. They are responsible for assigning specific roles and responsibilities to team members, ensuring that the project stays on track and aligned with Six Sigma principles. Beyond the standard DMAIC model, they have a comprehensive knowledge of Lean enterprise concepts, which allows them to identify non-value-added activities and eliminate waste. By utilizing a specific suite of analytical tools, Black Belts transform organizational data into actionable improvements, acting as the primary drivers of efficiency and cultural change within their teams.

The Certified Lean Operations Strategist - CLOS™ is a foundational credential awarded by ITQMA to professionals who have demonstrated core competency in project frameworks.

Exam Information

The exam comprises of 100 Multiple Choice Questions out of which the candidate needs to score 70% (70 out of 100 correct) to pass the exam.

The total duration of the exam is 2 hours (120 Minutes).

  • The exam is conducted in AI-proctored mode and can be taken anytime, anywhere within an eight-month validity period.
  • Upon purchasing the Premium Package or an Exam Voucher Code, a voucher code with two attempts will be assigned to your login profile under the "My Vouchers" tab. You can then take the exam through the "My Exam(s)" tab in your profile. To take the exam, simply apply the voucher code.

  • The Exam Voucher included in the Premium Package or purchased separately is valid for two (2) attempts. If you are unable to pass the exam within these two attempts, you can purchase a new voucher code, which will grant you an additional two attempts.
  • Kindly Note: The voucher will not be valid for a second attempt if you pass the exam on your first attempt.

The Certified Lean Operations Strategist - CLOS™® Certificate is valid for life.

CLOS™® is a Registered Trademark of ITQMA.

Note: The Certified Lean Operations Strategist - CLOS™® Certification has no pre-requisites (Completion of an E-Course is not mandatory from ITQMA), but we highly recommend doing the E-Course as maximum number of questions are drawn from the E-Course in the actual exam.

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Course Outline

1.1 Section I – Organizational Roadblocks and Lean Management

  • Organizational roadblocks
  • Resistance Analysis
  • Overview of all Continuous Improvement approaches
  • Overview of Lean
  • Overview of Six Sigma
  • Lean Management explained — TAKT Time, Cycle Time, PCE, Lead Time, SWIP, Setup time, Changeover time
  • Lean Tools explained — 5S, Kaizen, SMED, Heijunka

1.2 Section II – Pre-define DMAIC

  • DMAIC versus DFSS
  • Pre-define Pre-requisites and Qualifications
  • Project Prioritization Matrix
  • Introduction to Enterprise Wide view versus LOB view
  • NPV and IRR

1.2.2 Define

  • Champion’s transfer of project
  • Team dynamics and facilitation
  • Project Charter’s role
  • SIPOC/COPIS map
  • VOC/VOB/VOP
  • CTQ, CTC, CTS
  • VOC – CTQ Tree
  • Kano Model
  • Quality Function Deployment
  • Baseline performance of Y
  • Business Metrics for Y
  • Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY)
  • Statistical Definition of Six Sigma

1.3 Section III – Measure

  • Objectives of Measure Phase
  • Types of Data and Data Distribution models (Normal, Binomial and Poisson Distribution discussed)
  • Scales of Data
  • Measures of Central Tendency
  • Measures of Dispersion
  • Measurement Systems Analysis
  • Variables GAGE RR
  • Attribute RR
  • Stability Check — Importance of Stability
  • Capability Check — Cp, Cpk, Cpkm explained, How to understand Attribute Capability
  • Variations, Variability and Capability
  • Graphical tools to understand Data distribution
  • Understanding Weibull (2 Parameter, 3 Parameter and Rayleigh) Distribution
  • Correlating Calculations to Business Measures
  • Checking Normality of Data (Anderson Darling, Ryan Joiner and Kolmogorov Smirnov)

1.4 Section IV – Analyze

  • Objectives of Analyze
  • Simple Linear Regression
  • Multiple Linear Regression
  • Curvilinear Regression
  • Fishbone Diagram
  • Pareto Charts
  • Demarcating Common Causes and Special Causes
  • Hypothesis Tests (Parametric and Non-Parametric tests)
  • Statistical Validation

1.5 Section V – Improve

  • Objectives of Improve
  • Cost Benefit Analysis
  • Solutions Prioritization Matrix
  • Pugh Matrix
  • Design of Experiments
  • Introduction to DOE
  • Basics of DOE
  • Replication, Randomization and Blocking
  • Main Effects and Interaction effects
  • Full factorial experiments
  • Fractional factorial experiments
  • Screened Designs
  • Response Surface Designs
  • DOE with Regression
  • DOE with example

1.6 Section VI – Control

  • Taguchi’s Loss Function
  • Control Charts (Variable Control Charts and Attribute Control Charts)
  • Measurement System Re-analysis
  • Control Plan and Project Storyboard Transfer
  • Project Closure
  • Introduction to Total Productive Maintenance
  • Lean Process Improvement

Lean Process Improvement

  • Understanding Lean
  • The Toyota Production System
  • The Toyota Production System House
  • The Five Critical Improvement Concepts
  • Understanding Value with the Kano Model
  • Types of Waste
  • Creating a Lean Enterprise
  • The Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) Cycle
  • Using the R-DMAIC-S Model
  • Lean Thinking Tools
  • Kaizen Events
  • Data Gathering and Mapping
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Target Audience

Anyone who will be leading a Lean Six Sigma process improvement project or would like to master the principles involved to further their professional skills. It applies to staff, line supervisors, managers and directors in such areas as manufacturing, operations, customer service, engineering, IT, marketing, logistics, sales, quality, purchasing, health care, education, and health and safety. The certification is important to those who are full-time Project Managers.

Certified Lean Operations Strategist - CLOS™ are trademarks of ITQMA (IT Quality Management Association). All rights reserved.