CMU To Design Six Sigma Course For Dow

Central Michigan University and Dow Chemical Co. both have a great deal to gain from their collaboration in creating flexible Six Sigma training options for Dow employees around the world. An agreement between the two organizations will help Dow deliver critical business results and also will benefit CMU students with the Six Sigma training incorporated into CMU's curricula.

Through a five-year agreement approved by the CMU Board of Trustees Thursday, CMU will develop an online Six Sigma Green Belt Project Leader training program with the use of Dow's existing training materials to deliver to Dow employees throughout the world.

Six Sigma is a methodology that seeks to improve business processes using data-driven decision methods to reduce or eliminate causes of defects, errors and inefficiencies, overall reducing costs, increasing revenue, and adding value. CMU and Dow began their collaboration on Six Sigma in May 2005 through an agreement that allowed several CMU faculty to participate in Dow-sponsored Six Sigma Black Belt certification training that resulted in their Black Belt certification.

CMU will use Dow Six Sigma proprietary materials to develop and deliver, in an online learning format, Six Sigma Green Belt Project Leader training to Dow-related employees worldwide. The program also will include virtual small-group exercises. Dow Master Black Belts will participate in student coaching and provide training material revision assistance throughout the life of the agreement.

"We chose CMU to help develop our e-learning program for Green Belt Project Leaders because of its proven track record in delivering e-learning capabilities and, of course, our long history of collaboration with the university," said Peter Marshall, services director for The Dow Chemical Co.

CMU also foresees Six Sigma curricula being developed and made available for CMU students who are pursuing an academic degree or certification.

"This is a win-win situation for CMU and Dow," said Andy Paquet, a CMU adjunct faculty member and retired Dow employee who has been providing Dow Six Sigma training for many years. "This is a very efficient, cost effective means for Dow to provide this training to their employees, and CMU students benefit through access to the training materials."

In exchange for CMU's development and delivery of the Six Sigma program, Dow will provide funding to CMU for the initial five-year phase of their agreement.

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