Skills and Resources
Training and Skills Development
Clemson Continuous Improvement Belt Certification
Clemson’s system for Continuous Improvement (CI) Belt Certification provides a structured pathway to help participants gain knowledge and skills in Continuous Improvement methods. Courses include discussion, practical exercises, simulations, case studies, and projects. Instructors and coaches are experienced practitioners who guide participants through the material and follow-on applications.
Belts are awarded sequentially, with each building upon the previous levels. We currently offer four belt levels:
- White Belt
- Purple Belt
- Orange Belt
- Master Orange Belt
White Belt and Purple Belt courses are offered at least once per quarter, while Orange Belt and Master Orange Belt certifications are scheduled based on demand.
We also offer custom-tailored certification courses for organizations looking to certify groups of people simultaneously. Contact the Office of Institutional Excellence at InstExcellence@clemson.edu if you or your organization is interested in enrolling in training.
You can find out more about each of our belt levels by expanding each of the headings below.
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White Belt
White Belt training introduces learners to the basic principles of continuous improvement. Learners who complete this training will be able to
- Identify value from a customer's perspective.
- Identify waste in a process.
- Use a structured approach to iteratively improve a process by removing waste.
- Prioritize, track and participate in CI initiatives.
Certification as a White Belt requires attendance at a single four-hour learning event offered by the Office of Institutional Excellence. The hands-on and participatory event focuses on improving a simulated work process using CI concepts and tools.
There are no recertification requirements for the White Belt.
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Purple Belt
Participants who complete Purple Belt certification are qualified to lead and manage small-scale CI projects in their local area, department, or division. After completing this training, learners will be able to
- Lead and facilitate simple continuous improvement projects.
- Use a structured problem-solving process to improve a workplace problem.
- Conduct a root-cause analysis to find the most fundamental reasons for a problem.
- Plan, execute and report the status of a CI initiative using simple organizational tools.
To earn the Purple Belt certification, participants must
- Earn the White Belt certification.
- Complete all Purple Belt modules in Tiger Training.
- Complete the in-person Purple Belt training with the Office of Institutional Excellence.
- Lead a small-scale continuous improvement initiative or participate in a large-scale CI initiative and submit the results for review with an Office of Institutional Excellence coach.
To remain certified, Purple Belts must participate in one continuous improvement project per year and submit the results to an Office of Institutional Excellence coach for review.
The in-person Purple Belt training consists of one four-hour learning event in which participants work as a group to solve a real problem at Clemson using a structured problem-solving process.
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Orange Belt
Participants who complete the Orange Belt certification are qualified to lead and manage advanced, large-scale, continuous improvement efforts for major divisional projects or projects that span multiple divisions. After completing this certification, learners will be able to
- Lead and manage complex CI projects.
- Apply measurement techniques and change management strategies to CI initiatives.
- Mentor White Belts and Purple Belts.
To earn the Orange Belt certification, participants must
- Earn the Purple Belt certification.
- Complete all Orange Belt modules in Tiger Training.
- Complete the in-person Orange Belt training with the Office of Institutional Excellence.
- Lead a large-scale CI initiative and submit the results for review with an Office of Institutional Excellence coach.
To remain certified, Orange Belts must
- Lead one continuous improvement project per year and submit the results to an Office of Institutional Excellence coach for review.
- Serve as a mentor for at least one White Belt or Purple Belt.
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Master Orange Belt
Participants who complete the Master Orange Belt certification are qualified to lead complex, enterprise-level CI projects. After completing this certification, participants will be able to
- Lead and manage enterprise-level CI initiatives.
- Lead a value-stream mapping event.
- Apply advanced change management strategies.
To earn the Master Orange Belt certification, participants must
- Complete the in-person training offered by the Office of Institutional Excellence.
- Complete a value-stream mapping project and review the results with the Office of Institutional Excellence.
To remain certified, Master Orange Belts must
- Lead or co-lead one value-stream mapping event or enterprise-level CI initiative per year and submit the results to the Office of Institutional Excellence for review.
Serve as a mentor for at least one White Belt, Purple Belt or Orange Belt.
