A Systemic Analysis of Professional Certification Rates: The Case of a Six Sigma Training Certificate Program

Abstract

:Professional certificate training is a challenge for trainees and trainers. A certification program's financial success depends not only on its quality, but also on certification rates. In this study, the authors theorize that trainee performance in the field project component of a training certificate program is the key variable to success; therefore, identifying bottlenecks in a trainee certification process is vital to increasing the probability of certification. In order to test this hypothesis, the authors use a hybrid methodology to identify bottlenecks through the analysis of a Six Sigma certification program. The goal is to evaluate the impact that the academic components have on the successful implementation of field projects and, therefore, on certification rates. The latter is a requirement to be certified in the program studied. As a result, managers in charge of training certificate programs can assess, elaborate, and corroborate hypotheses about causes and effects of training practices and their efficiency within their program. The proposed solution combines statistical methods in the form of regression analysis and systemic tools like system dynamics (SD) to provide further understanding when early detection and intervention on trainees' deviations from expected performance is required. Findings from this research can be used as the basis for a future confirmatory analysis.