Black Belt Excellence
Mannheim Business School and The Lean Six Sigma Company have partnered to offer a unique 14-day Black Belt Excellence training. It is a comprehensive dual course designed to provide you with the essential tools for modern, efficient operations and help you transition toward AI-ready processes.
Trusted by
Germany’s No.1 Business school
Modernize your operations
In today’s economy, where precision and innovation are key, organizations must embrace continuous improvement to optimize overall efficiency. Process mining provides a clear, data-driven view of how processes operate. By mapping out workflows in detail, organizations can identify inefficiencies early and make data-driven decisions. The program also explores how process mining can be integrated with modern machine learning techniques for deeper insights.
Mastering new skills
Learn to analyze real business processes using event data to identify inefficiencies and improve performance.
Learn to apply Lean Six Sigma tools to identify waste, reduce variation, and improve process efficiency.
Learn to use statistical methods to analyze data, uncover patterns, and support decision-making.
Learn to analyze real business processes using event data to identify inefficiencies and improve performance.
Begin with a concise control plan and clear control mechanisms, then implement and confirm the solution’s effectiveness. Document everything along the way, finishing with an orderly project closing.
Use Design of Experiments that begins with 2-level factorial and screening designs, inserting centerpoints to reveal any curvature in the factors’ effects. Next, deploy response-surface modelling to map and optimize the performance landscape.
Read the entire course program
What our clients say
Ricardo M.
The exercise met the expectations and the explained method is directly applicable to the practice. From my view coming years, much can be improved within the administrative processes in many businesses due to the high demands of the Voice of Customers (also internal). Outsourcing to The Lean Sigma Company will add value to an organization because their business plan and applied method is effective.
Angela
I followed the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Service with this trainer. It is an interesting training, but tough because of the statistics that go with it. Various learning methods are offered so that people can learn with their own learning style: book, videos, practical assignments and a number of days of lessons where everything is explained and practiced with interactive assignments.
Thomas van der H.
Very good training content, organization, support and flexibility. Steve is an amazing tutor! He has deep knowledge of the content and is able to transmit the knowledge to the audience. Highly recommended.
Designed for future leaders
This course is designed for Future Leaders. We’ll teach you how to build smarter, customer-centric, and future-proof operations, by combining the power of Artificial Intelligence with the proven methods of Lean Six Sigma. Many of you professionals are no strangers to the balancing act of running daily operations while striving for improvement. You’re probably dealing with the challenges of improving customer satisfaction, lowering operational costs, and increasing overall quality, all while cutting through bureaucratic red tape, preparing for the possibilities of AI, and chasing ambitious ESG targets.
That’s precisely why this course is designed with you in mind. Our ideal candidates are mid-to-senior-level professionals tasked with driving operational excellence and spearheading digital transformation.Whether you are part of a medium-sized organization or a large multinational corporation, this training is designed for you. It is especially relevant in sectors such as manufacturing, finance, logistics, and Defense & Aerospace, where Lean Six Sigma has proven to be effective. Additionally, if you work in healthcare or government, where operational efficiency and compliance are crucial, this program will meet your specific needs too.
In summary, if you are ready to transform everyday challenges into strategic advantages and guide your organization toward an AI-driven future, then the Black Belt Excellence training serves as your first step in making that vision a reality. Moreover, by equipping you with essential skills and dual certifications, this course significantly enhances your professional credibility and opens doors to advanced leadership opportunities.
The course set-up explained
Our programme is meticulously crafted to facilitate the application of your newly acquired knowledge and skills in a practical setting. Below, we present the six key stages to evolve into a results-oriented Black Belt.
Find out more about the expertise and specialties of your trainers.
Prof. Dr. Jana-Rebecca Rehse
Assistant Professor for Management Analytics at the University of Mannheim
Jana Rehse is a leading expert in Management Analytics, specializing in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance business processes. With a doctoral degree in Business Administration from Saarland University and a track record of prestigious awards, she has significantly contributed to research areas including process mining, machine learning for process prediction, and domain-specific process assistance systems. Her influential publications, such as those in Business & Information Systems Engineering and ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems, underscore her impact in advancing AI-driven approaches for business process optimization.
Steve Cook
Master Black Belt
As a long-time Six Sigma Master Belt and Quality Professional I’ve been developing my skills for continuous improvement throughout my working life. Building on a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, and later an MBA, I developed my career over many years in the coatings and automotive industries, initially with ICI Paints in the UK, later with DuPont and Axalta Coating Systems in Germany. My professional experience includes leadership positions in product development, production and process control, operational excellence, quality management and, of course, Lean Six Sigma. As Business Improvement Manager and Six Sigma Champion I had responsibility for process improvement and the project management office within a global business unit.
Germany’s No. 1 Business School
Mannheim Business School
Leading the Way in Global
Business Education
Mannheim Business School (MBS) is the organizational umbrella for management education at the University of Mannheim and one of the leading institutions of its kind in Europe.
MBS was the first German institution to be accredited by the three most important international associations of business education institutions (AACSB International, EQUIS and AMBA). Only one percent of all business schools possess this “Triple Crown”. In addition, MBS is the best German institution in the renowned MBA rankings of the Financial Times (3-year average), the Economist, Bloomberg Businessweek and Forbes.
The MBS portfolio includes an MBA program that can be taken full-time or part-time, several Executive MBA programmes as well as specialised Master’s programmes. Additionally, MBS offers practice-oriented open certificate courses and tailor-made company programmes.
Investment
Investing in the Black Belt Excellence course is a strategic move that can yield significant returns for your organization. By enrolling, you not only gain incredibly valuable skills and knowlege, your organization acquires the means to drastically decrease costs with every project you carry out. Our comprehensive coaching goes beyond guidance; we actively assist you during your first project. With our assistance, even your very first project can achieve cost-reductions up to €250.000. The effects of this single investment can ripple through your organization, creating support for new projects and make change management more natural; because now, the results speak for themselves.Furthermore, the 14 classroom training days are supported by the MyTraining™ learning environment. During your improvement project, you will be guided by an experienced Master Black Belt.
Good to know: tax offices usually recognize costs for your further education if they are job-related. Depending on your tax status in Germany, you may claim up to 50% of the tuition fee and related travel expenses on your annual tax return. Outside of Germany, please check details with a tax advisor in your country of residence. Please note: each federal state in Germany has regulations on educational leave. Check here to see which regulations apply in your federal state and get in touch with us to discuss your individual situation.
3 November 2025, 4 November 2025, 5 November 2025, 6 November 2025, 7 November 2025, 9 December 2025, 10 December 2025, 11 December 2025, 21 January 2026, 22 January 2026, 23 January 2026, 10 February 2026, 11 February 2026, 13 February 2026
L5 6 , Mannheim, 68161
L5 6 , Mannheim, 68161
Every training we provide assumes that our students start without any prior knowledge of Lean or Lean Six Sigma methodology. The training starts from the basics and builds accordingly. You will learn about the theory step by step. And if you choose to carry out a project as part of your training, you will be coached and assisted by our Master Black Belt to ensure a good result.
During this training, participants will explore various aspects of Lean Six Sigma and process mining. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics aimed at enhancing participants’ understanding and proficiency in these methodologies. From foundational concepts to advanced techniques, the training offers a comprehensive overview of the principles and applications of Lean Six Sigma and process mining.
If you’re interested in obtaining a detailed breakdown of the learning targets and the specific content covered in the training, you can request our study manual. It provides a comprehensive outline of the course structure, including key concepts, learning objectives, and practical exercises.
The trainers for this course are Master Black Belt Steve Cook and Professor Jana Rehse. With years of experience in the realms of process improvement and process mining, they bring a wealth of expertise and practical insights to the training. Steve Cook has a proven track record of implementing Lean Six Sigma methodologies across various industries, driving significant improvements in efficiency and quality. Professor Jana Rehse is renowned for her research and contributions to the field of process mining, having authored numerous publications and led groundbreaking projects in the application of data-driven process analysis. Their combined knowledge and hands-on experience ensure that participants receive top-notch instruction and guidance throughout the training. To learn more about these esteemed trainers, click here.
The theory of the Black Belt Excellence training is assessed through a theoretical exam held at the end of the training. Following this evaluation, participants apply the theory in practical scenarios under the guidance of their trainer. This coaching is an integral part of the training and is tailored to the phase of your project charter. Participants are required to complete their project charter, which is then presented by the participant to their coach and our quality manager upon completion. Only after this process can participants officially earn the title of Black Belt.
We find that our course attracts participants from diverse professional backgrounds. This diversity is seen as a significant asset, as it allows individuals to step out of their own spheres and engage in collective learning about process improvement and process mining. The exchange of knowledge and experiences from various fields is particularly inspiring, fostering a dynamic learning environment where participants can gain fresh perspectives and insights. By bringing together individuals with varied expertise, our training sessions not only promote collaboration but also encourage innovative problem-solving approaches that can be applied across industries.
This training is future-proof, especially considering the vast amount of data in the world today. It seamlessly integrates a robust methodology, Lean Six Sigma, with one of the most significant trends to date – big data. As organizations increasingly recognize the value of data-driven decision-making, the ability to leverage Lean Six Sigma principles alongside advanced analytics techniques becomes essential for staying competitive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. By equipping participants with the skills to effectively analyze data and optimize processes, this training not only prepares them for the challenges of today but also positions them to thrive in the data-driven future.
The regular Black Belt training typically spans 8 to 10 days, varying depending on whether you work in the service or industrial sector. However, this Black Belt Excellence training extends to 12 days for Lean Six Sigma training, with an additional 3 days dedicated to Process Mining in collaboration with Mannheim Business School. The extra Lean Six Sigma days are structured to include a Lean Practitioner Training day focusing on the A3 methodology. These additional half days are crucial to ensure a seamless integration with the Process Data Mining component. This additional time allows for a deeper dive into the practical application of tools, particularly those related to data-driven process analytics.