12 June, 2025
Organizations aim to improve their processes’ efficiency and effectiveness by reducing waste, which creates a need for experts in project management frameworks and process improvement techniques such as Lean Six Sigma (LSS). As a result, many professionals seek to meet this demand and increase their earning potential with resume-boosting credentials.
The project management industry boasts a wide variety of frameworks and certification opportunities, with the most well-known being the Project Management Professional (PMP®) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®. Unlike project management, which encompasses many methodologies rather than one specific framework, Lean Six Sigma is a highly specific method of process improvement that combines the Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. There are many different opportunities to pursue LSS certification, from short-course providers to university-backed programs.
While project management and Lean Six Sigma are technically distinct paths, they often work hand in hand to improve an organization’s operations. You can even incorporate additional methods like Agile and Scrum for further improvements. In this article, we will discuss the key differences between all of these frameworks and why professionals who are seeking project management careers should consider all of their options and not limit themselves to one area of expertise.
What Is Lean Six Sigma?
Lean Six Sigma is a process improvement methodology that combines two time-tested frameworks, Six Sigma and Lean, to increase value for customers and improve efficiency within the lifecycle of product development.
| Lean | Six Sigma | |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Processes and resource management | Final products and services |
| Goal |
|
Reduce variability of output in production processes |
| Outcome | Less wasteful and more efficient production process | Less variation and more consistency in final products |
Lean is all about improving value to the customer and efficiency within the lifecycle of products and services. It takes a systematic approach and places emphasis on the value delivered to customers so that organizations can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their processes.
Six Sigma is about reducing variation and improving consistency in products. When it’s working effectively, Six Sigma keeps outcomes within six standard deviations of the specification limits of a product or process (meaning that 99.99966% of products should have no defects).
When combined, Lean and Six Sigma offer a powerful, unified framework to:
- Improve efficiency
- Reduce waste
- Minimize errors
- Tighten up process
- Improve value mapping
Lean Six Sigma Methodology
Lean Six Sigma projects are guided by a series of principles, which include:
- Work for the customers
- Find your problem and focus on it
- Remove variation and bottlenecks
- Communicate clearly and train team members
- Be flexible and responsive
Given these principles, Lean Six Sigma projects are conducted through a specific improvement process called DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). Within the process, you’ll define the issue that you’re facing, gather data to paint a complete picture of the situation and determine the root cause of the problem. Once you’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of the situation at hand, you’ll make any necessary improvements and continue to monitor the solution so that it becomes the new standard.
Lean Six Sigma Certification
A Lean Six Sigma certification allows professionals to obtain valuable knowledge in process improvement domains while demonstrating their capabilities to potential employers. While there is no “official” LSS certification, there are many upskilling courses and certificate options available. In particular, certifications that are accredited by the Council for Six Sigma Certification and/or the American Society for Quality are widely recognized industry standards.
Purdue University offers online certificates for aspiring Green Belts and Black Belts, as well as an introduction to the principles of Lean. Learners can also register for a three-course package to gain a comprehensive understanding of Lean Six Sigma methodologies and enhance their credibility and career opportunities.
What Is Project Management?
Project management is a key business operations function that ensures project-based work is carried out effectively and efficiently. Project management techniques and frameworks are most often used by project managers, but anyone working in an operational capacity or seeking to take on more operations tasks can benefit from some project management knowledge to ensure timely completion of projects and more effective, efficient processes.
Project Management Methodologies
Project management is, essentially, the process of turning an idea into a tangible product, process, service or deliverable. There are a wide variety of methodologies that can be applied to different situations based on what you are actually trying to accomplish.
There are three broad approaches to project management — predictive, adaptive and hybrid — and each approach offers multiple specific methodologies:
| Approach | Best For… | Methodology Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Predictive |
|
|
| Adaptive (or Agile) |
|
|
| Hybrid |
|
Combinations of the above — such as Agile-Waterfall or PRINCE2 Agile |
PMP® Certification
Clearly, there are many project management methodologies that professionals should be aware of. While self-education is possible, it’s incredibly difficult to gain an expert-level understanding of all the project management methodologies available to you unless you gain a formal project management education. And, holding a recognized project management credential will give your resume a major boost, signalling that you’re a true expert.
The most well-respected credential for project managers is the Project Management Professional Certification, offered by the Project Management Institute. For beginners or those looking to refresh their expertise, Purdue offers an online Project Management Essentials certificate, which helps prepare candidates for the PMP exam and fulfills the 35 hours of project management education prerequisite. For experienced project managers looking to gain their certification, Purdue also offers a PMP Exam Preparation course.
Lean Six Sigma vs. PMP Certification
While the Lean Six Sigma certifications and the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification share some similarities, especially in the realm of process improvement, they have key distinctions.
| Lean Six Sigma Certification | PMP Certification | |
|---|---|---|
| Levels of Expertise | Variety of belts available: white, green, yellow, black, master black belt | No sublevels of expertise |
| Focus | Process improvement | Project management and delivery |
| Time Commitment | Varies widely by belt and provider. The Council for Six Sigma requires no prerequisite training for Black Belt Certification, but those who are not familiar with the Lean Six Sigma Body of Knowledge are unlikely to pass the exam. | 35 hours of project management education/training, in addition to 2-5 years of managing projects (depending on education) |
| Costs | Varies by belt and provider. The Council for Six Sigma charges an assessment fee of $229 for the Black Belt exam. | $425 for PMI members, $675 for non-members |
Levels of Expertise
The PMP Certification is a single level of certification offered through the Project Management Institute. While there are no individual levels of expertise, the PMP certification is the industry standard credential for project managers because it is a broad, expert-level credential. For those looking to gain additional expertise in project management, the PMI offers specialized certifications in unique areas.
Lean Six Sigma certifications are offered through a range of expertise levels, denoted as “belts” ranging from white to black. The highest level of certification is the Master Black Belt, which indicates comprehensive expertise in the entire Six Sigma Body of Knowledge and the experience in putting that knowledge into practice.
Core Focus and Goals
Lean Six Sigma and PMP Certification each focus on specific areas. Lean Six Sigma is, broadly speaking, focused on process improvement. Its strategies help professionals to improve processes of any size to maximize efficiency. The sub areas, Lean and Six Sigma, have their own parts to play in this: Lean focuses on eliminating unnecessary and redundant work, while Six Sigma emphasizes the reduction of defects and errors.
PMP Certification, on the other hand, is all about project management and delivery. The PMP framework focuses on core project management considerations and competencies, such as:
- Project scope management
- Project integration
- Time management
- Cost management
- Human resources
- Project quality management
At the end of the day, Lean Six Sigma and project management share the same goal: efficient and effective operations.
Time Commitment and Costs
The length and cost of your certification is somewhat dependent on how much you’re willing to invest in your own success. While you can take a short course in Lean Six Sigma or a PMP preparation course, you likely won’t become a true expert in process improvement or project management. A deeper investment in high-quality, comprehensive training often leads to stronger skills, better job prospects and long-term career growth.
Lean Six Sigma
You can earn a Lean Six Sigma certification very quickly, as the Council for Lean Six Sigma does not require any formal training or education to take the exams for any belt. However, without structured education from a university-backed course, most learners struggle to pass and truly grasp the material. Unlike lower-cost providers, university programs offer comprehensive training led by experienced instructors. With this level of preparation, you gain a valuable credential and the real-world process improvement expertise to make a meaningful impact in your organization.
Through the Council for Lean Six Sigma, the belt exam fees are:
- White Belt: Free
- Yellow Belt: $99.00
- Green Belt: $159.00
- Black Belt: $229.00
PMP Certification
To become a certified Project Management Professional, you will need 35 hours of project management education/training. You will also need anywhere from 2-5 years of experience leading and managing projects. These requirements do have some variation — for example, if you have a bachelor’s degree you can supplement the 35 hours of education/training with a different PMI certification or prep course.
To take the PMP exam, you will need to pay a one-time fee: $425 for PMI members, $675 for non-members.
At Purdue, you can register for project management courses that will prepare you for the PMP exam and for real-world project management challenges. These courses are led by expert instructors, meaning that you’ll be able to learn from and get your questions answered by certified Project Management Professionals.
Specialty Areas: Six Sigma vs. Scrum vs. Agile
Six Sigma, Scrum and Agile are all speciality areas or methodologies that fall under the Lean Six Sigma and project management umbrellas.
- Six Sigma is a quality control framework that aims to eliminate variability in processes/products, or minimize them as much as possible.
- Agile is an incremental approach to project management that emphasizes collaborative, open communication and minimal siloes among teams. Agile project management allows teams to see continuous improvement throughout the project.
- Scrum is a methodology within Agile. This methodology incorporates short but regular team meetings and efficient “sprints” to complete a strictly defined amount of work.
How to Select the Best Path for You
There’s a lot to consider when deciding between a Lean Six Sigma or PMP certification. The most important factors will vary between individuals and their goals, but you may weigh any of the following:
- Time Commitment: Lean Six Sigma certification can generally be earned faster due to the lack of prerequisite requirements. However, there are many belt levels and it may take time to work your way up. The PMP, on the other hand, requires more time commitment up front but you will have a career-long credential that will pay off immediately.
- Costs: Lean Six Sigma certification is cheaper up-front and does not require renewal, while PMP certification costs more and requires renewal fee every three years. You may need to earn multiple LSS certifications to achieve your goals — but once you do you will find your earning potential is significantly boosted. On the other hand, the PMP is one credential that provides you with broad knowledge and the possibility of a <a href="” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>notable salary boost.
- Career Goals: For people aspiring to become full-time project managers, the PMP is the clear choice. For those who do not want to manage projects as their primary work function, a Lean Six Sigma certification will allow them to drive process improvement while also maintaining other responsibilities.
But of course, you don’t have to choose between Lean Six Sigma or the PMP certification! Both of these areas share the same ultimate goal of optimized operations. Professionals who hold both Lean Six Sigma certification and PMP Certification have a powerful background and expert knowledge in all areas of process improvement and project management. And, since the goals of both are the same, you may find that your LSS skills are transferable to your project management word, and vice versa. With training in both areas, you’ll have end-to-end expertise in operations and a transferable set of skills to support your upskilling goals.
Purdue University’s Online Project Management Series
Professionals who participate in Purdue University’s online project management series can gain a wealth of field knowledge, solid foundational skills and exceedingly effective preparation for the PMP exam, which is a step toward earning a project management certification. Course materials and activities align closely with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) to help learners retain project management knowledge and apply it to their current projects.
Interested in Lean Six Sigma training? Visit our site to learn more about our courses.
This 100% online, instructor-led course runs for eight weeks and allows working professionals to gain familiarity with basic project management concepts and terms. Learners can effectively apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to current projects and earn project management hours that can help qualify them to take the PMP exam.
This 100% online, self-study course is for project managers with a minimum of three years of experience and assumes prior knowledge of the PMBOK® Guide. It includes four live webinars presented by an instructor for in-depth review of some of the most challenging learning material.
The Purdue Agile Certificate Online Course equips learners with modern Agile tools to enhance project outcomes and customer satisfaction. This asynchronous course includes on-demand lectures, practical assignments and interactive discussion boards that foster engagement with instructors and peers.
The Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
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