Before and during the course FAQs

Certification is approval from a third party. In the UK Lean and Six Sigma certification is undertaken by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS). Certification adds creditability by demonstrating that the individual or company is competent with ISO 18404 (the international standard for Lean and Six Sigma implementation). View our Lean and Six Sigma training course pages to find upcoming courses in your area, or schedule dedicated training on a date and at a location which is convenient for you team.

The certification process ensures that the business fully understands the principles of Lean or Six Sigma and how to successfully implement them. By doing so the business will ensure process improvement through waste reduction and defect elimination, resulting in increased efficiencies.

Successful certification of ISO 18404 also increases brand reputability as it demonstrates a commitment to producing quality products whilst adhering to internationally recognised standards.

Lean is a continuous improvement approach that incorporates a number of tools and techniques to create a Kaizen culture (a culture of continuous improvement). Lean allows businesses to redefine the output of departments and functions by focusing on what value is from a customer perspective at every stage of a product or service creation. Actions that do not add value to the customer are considered waste, or Muda which can be removed. For more information view our Lean training courses including our Lean Practitioner and Lean Leader training courses.

Six Sigma is a set of statistical analysis tools used to measure and eliminate process variation, in other words, it improves quality by reducing the likelihood something is done wrong or differently to the way the customer is expecting. The Six Sigma process is based upon the DMAIC methodology of Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control. We offer a range of RSS approved Six Sigma courses, including Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt Training Courses.

The goal of Lean thinking is to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction by implementing a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen culture). This culture is supported with the use of Lean tools and techniques such as value stream mapping, which is used to identify waste by mapping the flow of information and materials. Learn more about Lean on our Lean Training Courses.

The most popular standards we provide consultancy for are ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO/IEC 17025. We also can provide support to organisations with other standards including ISO 50001, ISO 27001, IATF 16949, ISO 17020,  ISO 13485, ISO 14971, ISO 15189, ISO 22301 and TL 9000.

We have over 35 years’ experience in delivering Management Systems Consultancy and Training Services. We have supported thousands of businesses with the development of their Management Systems approach and in achieving various ISO registrations.

If you wish to learn more about the consultancy services we offer, and how we can help your business, call 0333 123 9001 or contact us using our online form.

There are various reasons why people choose a career in auditing, for some it may be they have been selected to undertake a course in internal auditing by their managers whilst others simply wish to drive improvements within companies. Below are just a few of the benefits of becoming an auditor:

• Competitive salary
• Opportunities to work on a permanent, contracted or freelance basis to meet your requirements
• Career progression, for example into management consultancy roles
• ISO standards are internationally recognised, for example the CQI and IRCA have members in 100 countries
• Many auditors are able to travel within their role visiting various clients
• Play a key part in improving businesses, whether it is in terms of quality, environmentally or in terms of health and safety
• There are various ISO standards to audit against, select a standard which is of interest to you

Kaizen simply means ‘improvement’ in Japanese. The word Kaizen has been used within Lean as an expression of a philosophy of small scale incremental and continual improvement changes.

Rather confusingly a ‘Kaizen event’ means something different, is an improvement event that happens over a very short period of time to make improvements of a pre-determined set of processes. Learn more on our Kaizen and 5S Training Course.

Our Management Systems Consultancy Services help businesses to develop their Management Systems approach and achieve and maintain ISO certification. The consultancy can be tailored to focus on the key areas you wish to focus on. Some of the key areas we help with are management systems review, gap analysis, management systems design, implementation, management systems training, ISO auditing, pre-assessment audits and ongoing support. You will be paired with one of our specialists who will assist you in successfully achieving your goals.

Contact our team on 0333 123 9001 to learn more about how we can help you.

The two terms are frequently used interchangeably and can often be interpreted to mean the same thing. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Continual improvement means that the approach is repeated and has pauses in between repetitions. A continual approach will have a phased system, whereby improvements will be made then there will be a break to measure and analyse the success, after this further improvements can be made.

Whereas a continuous improvement approach does not stop, it is an uninterrupted flow. A continuous approach is one that will constantly look to make improvements, it is a sustained process of development.

One of the most common approaches of continuous improvement is Lean. This approach aims to embed a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen culture) which uses a set of tools and techniques to reduce waste and maximise customer value.