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Whitestone International College of Innovation delivers quality-assured, standards-aligned programmes that integrate academic rigour, industry relevance, and digital fluency to develop principled leaders who deliver measurable impact.

Courses

Whitestone International Diploma in Productivity Improvement and Lean Six Sigma

The programme introduces key concepts of productivity and process performance, waste elimination and value creation, Lean principles and tools, Six Sigma thinking at conceptual level, problem-solving and root cause analysis, basic statistical awareness for improvement, project- based improvement, and change management for sustainable results.

Course Overview

The Whitestone International Diploma in Productivity Improvement and Lean Six Sigma is a 12- month vocational programme designed to provide a structured, practice-oriented foundation in continuous improvement, operational excellence, and introductory Lean Six Sigma methods across manufacturing, services, and public-sector environments.

Learners will explore how to diagnose process problems, map value streams, identify waste and variation, prioritise improvement opportunities, participate in DMAIC-style projects at foundational level, and embed standard work and visual management. The emphasis is on practical application, disciplined problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration, not on advanced statistics or formal Belt-level professional certification. By the end of the programme, participants will be able to contribute effectively to productivity and quality improvement initiatives, Lean Six Sigma projects at team level, and operational excellence programmes, working under the guidance of experienced practitioners and leaders.

This diploma is vocational and non-regulated. It does not confer formal Lean Six Sigma Belt certification (e.g. Yellow, Green, Black Belt) under any external professional body, and does not qualify learners as statisticians, management consultants, or certified auditors. Advanced statistical analyses, high-risk process changes, and organisation-wide transformation programmes must be led and approved only by appropriately qualified and authorised professionals, in line with organisational policies and applicable standards.

Why This Course is Important?

Organisations in all sectors must do more with less, improve reliability, and remove waste to remain competitive and sustainable.
Structured methods help teams to understand processes, reduce variation and waste, and deliver measurable performance gains.
Sustainable operational excellence depends not only on experts, but also on front-line staff, supervisors, and coordinators who understand and apply continuous improvement principles.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:

Explain core concepts in productivity, process performance, Lean principles, and introductory Six Sigma thinking at a vocational level.
Map and analyse processes using basic tools such as process mapping and value stream mapping at awareness level, to identify waste and improvement opportunities.
Participate in DMAIC-style improvement projects at foundational level, contributing to problem definition, data collection, analysis support, and solution implementation.
Apply practical Lean tools such as 5S, visual management, standard work awareness, basic flow and pull concepts, and simple mistake-proofing techniques within their area of work.
Use basic problem-solving and root cause analysis tools (e.g. 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams) and interpret simple performance data (non-advanced statistics) to support decisions.
Support change management, stakeholder engagement, and communication to embed improvements and sustain new ways of working.
Prepare structured improvement charters, progress summaries, and results reports for management and teams.

Target Audience

Individuals in or aspiring to roles such as Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Operational Excellence Assistant, Production/Service Supervisor, Quality Technician (non- auditor), Process Improvement Support, or Performance Analyst (junior).
Staff in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, financial services, retail, hospitality, education, public sector, and shared services who are involved in process improvement or operational performance.
Graduates and career changers seeking a structured pathway into operational excellence and Lean Six Sigma environments at foundational level.
Entrepreneurs and managers of small and medium-sized organisations who wish to systematically improve productivity, quality, and customer experience.

Entry Requirements

A recognised higher secondary qualification, diploma, or equivalent, preferably with prior exposure to business, operations, engineering, or service management
Interest or experience in operations, quality, process improvement, or performance management
Proficiency in English (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent recommended) to engage with improvement documentation, data summaries, and case studies

Programme Structure & Modules

Module 1 – Foundations of Productivity, Process Thinking & Operational Excellence

Defining productivity, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality at a practical level.
Introduction to process thinking:
Understanding work as a series of interconnected processes rather than isolated tasks.
Overview of operational excellence frameworks and how Lean and Six Sigma fit within them.
Process performance basics at awareness level:
Throughput, cycle time, work-in-progress, lead time, defect awareness.
Voice of the customer (VOC) and voice of the process (VOP) at conceptual level.
The role of culture, leadership, and front-line engagement in continuous improvement.

Module 2 – Lean Principles, Waste Identification & Flow

Core Lean principles: value, value stream, flow, pull, and pursuit of perfection at vocational level.
The seven (or more) wastes and practical examples in manufacturing and service environments.
Process mapping and value stream mapping at awareness level:
Visualising current state, identifying bottlenecks and non-value-adding steps.
Concepts of flow and pull at foundational level:
Reducing waiting, batch sizes awareness, and unnecessary movement.
Introduction to 5S and workplace organisation for productivity and safety.
Basic visual management tools to support clarity, control, and communication.

Module 3 – Introduction to Six Sigma Thinking & the DMAIC Framework (Foundational)

Origins and purpose of Six Sigma: focus on variation reduction, defect reduction, and process capability awareness.
DMAIC framework at conceptual, practical level:
Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control as a structured improvement cycle.
Problem definition and project scoping:
Writing simple problem statements, goals, and charters for improvement initiatives.
Measure phase at foundational level:
Identifying what to measure, simple data collection plans, and basic graphical presentation (e.g. trend charts, Pareto awareness).
Analyse phase at vocational level:
Using cause-and-effect diagrams, 5 Whys, simple checksheets, and basic data patterns to identify likely root causes (non-advanced statistics).
Improve and Control phases:
Generating ideas, selecting solutions, piloting changes, and designing simple control plans to sustain gains.

Module 4 – Tools for Problem-Solving, Standardisation & Daily Management

Structured problem-solving cycles (e.g. PDCA awareness) and their relationship to DMAIC.
Practical tools for day-to-day improvement:
Checklists, simple standard work templates, visual procedures, and quick-win initiatives.
Kaizen and continuous improvement at team level:
Encouraging small, frequent improvements aligned with strategic priorities.
Introduction to basic mistake-proofing (poka-yoke) concepts at awareness level.
Daily management and performance dialogue:
Short stand-up meetings, simple metrics boards, and follow-up on issues at vocational level.
Recording and sharing lessons learned to support organisational learning.

Module 5 – Data, Metrics, Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement

Defining improvement metrics and indicators (KPIs) at practical level:
Productivity, quality, timeliness, cost, safety, and customer measures.
Basic data literacy:
Understanding simple charts and tables, distinguishing trends from noise at awareness level.
Reporting progress:
Clear, concise updates on project status, benefits, and issues.
Fundamentals of change management for improvement initiatives:
Understanding reactions to change, dealing with resistance at team level, and building buy-in.
Stakeholder mapping and engagement:
Identifying sponsors, process owners, front-line staff, and support functions; tailoring communication to each group.
Aligning improvement work with organisational strategy and priorities at conceptual level.

Module 6 – Integrated Productivity, Lean Six Sigma Practice & Professional Development

Combining productivity improvement, Lean tools, and DMAIC into integrated improvement practice.
Prioritising improvement opportunities:
Balancing impact, feasibility, and risk at vocational level.
Coordinating multiple small projects and quick-win initiatives under supervision.
Working with cross-functional teams:
Operations, quality, engineering, finance, HR, and IT.
Professional behaviours for improvement practitioners:
Fact-based thinking, respect for people, humility, and continuous learning.
Planning personal development pathways:
Progressing towards more advanced or formally certified Lean Six Sigma training (e.g. Yellow/Green Belt) where desired and appropriate.

Awarding Body

Whitestone International College of Innovation

United Kingdom

Qualification Type

International Diploma – Vocational Qualification

(Industry-aligned qualification issued by Whitestone International College of Innovation, UK)

Assessment & Certification

Assessment Methods Include:

Written assignments on productivity and process thinking, Lean principles and waste, DMAIC and problem-solving, tools for standardisation and daily management, data and change management, and integrated improvement practice.
Practical tasks such as simple process and value stream maps (awareness level), 5S audits, problem statements, cause-and-effect diagrams, and basic metrics dashboards.
Scenario-based exercises requiring learners to diagnose process issues and propose structured improvement approaches within their vocational scope.
Reflective pieces on personal learning, improvement mindset, teamwork, and ethical considerations in change initiatives.
Final Capstone Project: Productivity & Lean Six Sigma Improvement Initiative, with a structured report and/or presentation.

To obtain the diploma, learners must successfully complete all module assessments and the capstone project in line with Whitestone’s academic standards.

Certification:

On successful completion, participants will be awarded:

Whitestone International Diploma in Productivity Improvement and Lean Six Sigma Issued by Whitestone International College of Innovation, United Kingdom

Benefits of Attending

Provides a robust, practice-based foundation in productivity improvement and Lean Six Sigma at foundational level.
Equips learners to participate confidently in continuous improvement projects, use basic Lean and DMAIC tools, and support operational excellence programmes.
Enhances employability in roles such as Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Operational Excellence Assistant, Production/Service Supervisor, Quality Technician (non-auditor), or Process Improvement Support, subject to employer requirements.
Helps organisations build internal capability for structured problem-solving, waste reduction, and performance improvement, aligned with strategic goals.
Creates a strong platform for further study in Lean Six Sigma (including formal Belt-level certifications), Quality Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or Business Improvement.

Industry Alignment

The programme reflects widely recognised principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement, including:

Emphasis on customer value, waste elimination, and variation reduction as drivers of performance.
Focus on fact-based problem-solving, process thinking, and respect for people in improvement initiatives.
Recognition that sustainable operational excellence requires structured methods, engaged teams, and supportive leadership.

£2000

£ 0

Industry-focused programmes with global standards.
Practical skills for real-world success.
Academic excellence with career-ready outcomes.

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Progression & Academic Pathways

Graduates of the Whitestone International Diploma in Productivity Improvement and Lean Six Sigma may:

Progress to higher-level diplomas or degrees in Operations Management, Quality Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Process Management, or Business Administration, subject to entry criteria.
Enhance their suitability for more demanding roles in continuous improvement, operational excellence, and quality functions.
Use this diploma as a structured foundation for formal Lean Six Sigma Belt-level training and certification (e.g. Yellow/Green Belt) offered by external professional bodies or accredited providers, where they meet the relevant requirements.

Together We Learn, Together We Grow

At Whitestone, we believe in collaborative learning where students and faculty grow together through knowledge and experience. Our supportive community fosters teamwork, innovation, and shared success.

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London, united kingdom

+44 20 3727 6493

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