What makes Lean Certification the gold standard?
The Lean Certification Program offered by the Lean Certification Alliance represents all the best practices of certification. The Lean Certification Alliance is a partnership among three non-profit partners, all recognized as leaders in lean: the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), the Shingo Institute, and SME — and endorsed by Catalysis and GBMP. The certification program helps ensure that you conceptually understand and can effectively apply lean to real world problems. It starts with training, education and development gained through a variety of methods. You prove your understanding of lean by taking a comprehensive exam covering a broad body of knowledge. You work on real projects that benefit your organization while solidifying the concepts and giving you confidence. Once you have enough experience, you submit a written presentation of your skills, which is peer-reviewed by experienced lean professionals. As you continue to build knowledge, skills and experience, you can either recertify or obtain certification at another level.
What makes a good certification program?
A good certification program ensures that you not only have the technical knowledge but also demonstrated skills in lean. Learning should be blended, including universally respected and relevant books, classes, site visits, conferences and other resources. Hands-on skills should be learned through real experiences rather than through simulated projects, complete with the dynamics and challenges as well as actual results and benefits, allowing you to have a higher level of confidence as you continue your lean journey. A good certification program encourages continuous self-improvement and requires recertification to keep the credential active. Recertification ensures that you continue to reflect, study and gain new insights and experiences.