Green Belt
Lean Green Belt Certification
Lead structured improvement projects from problem to sustained solution. Green Belt is the inflection point where practitioners become project leaders.
About this program
What is the Green Belt?
The Lean Green Belt is a standalone 85-hour certification with no prerequisites. It trains participants to plan, lead, and deliver structured improvement projects. Green Belts are the engine of continuous improvement in any organization: they run projects, coach colleagues, and translate leadership priorities into measurable results. The program combines project management, change management, and facilitation skills. Assessment requires a real workplace improvement project and a 100-minute exam. The program is also available as self-paced online learning with on-demand expert mentoring. Participants have up to 6 months to complete.
Curriculum
Program Themes
The full program is delivered across 11 modules. The themes below summarize the scope; detailed topic outlines are available in the program brochure.
Foundations and Project Setup
Lean principles, value, and waste, plus how to charter a project using problem statements, SMART objectives, SIPOC, Voice of the Customer, A3, and the DMAIC and PDCA frameworks.
Current-State Analysis
Gemba walks, data collection and graphical analysis, swimlane process mapping, value stream mapping, and key measures including cycle time, takt time, lead time, and WIP.
Root Cause and Improvement Techniques
5 Whys, fishbone, Pareto, Kaizen events, 5S workplace organization, kanban and pull, cellular flow, work balancing, Theory of Constraints, SMED, and future-state value stream design.
Leading Change and Sustaining Results
Change management (ADKAR), project management, control plans, standard work, visual management, mistake-proofing, and FMEA to embed and sustain improvements.
Want the complete program details?
Download BrochureFlexibility
Delivery Options
Instructor-led (in-person or virtual)
Weekly live sessions over 8 to 12 weeks with a cohort group. Minimum participant numbers apply.
Self-paced online with on-demand mentoring
Complete modules at your own pace with expert mentoring available on demand. Participants have up to 6 months to complete.
Blended
Self-paced online modules combined with live instructor-led sessions for project workshops and coaching.
What you walk away with
Practical capability, not just theory
Lead Improvement Projects
Plan, execute, and close structured improvement projects with measurable results.
Coach Colleagues
Develop others: facilitate workshops, give project feedback, and build improvement capability across your team.
Deliver Measurable Results
Complete a real improvement project with quantifiable outcomes: cost savings, cycle time reduction, or quality improvement.
OTU Credential (add-on)
Add an OTU-partnered Green Belt certificate recognized by employers across Canada and internationally. Additional fee applies.
Recognized
University Partner
Ontario Tech University (OTU)
OTU-partnered Green Belt certificate. Internationally recognized and respected by Canadian and global employers. Assessment: workplace improvement project and a 100-minute exam.
Certification pathway
Belt Pathway
Green Belt is a standalone program with no prerequisites. It is also the prerequisite for Black Belt. Green Belts are typically the most active improvement practitioners in an organization: leading projects, facilitating workshops, and coaching colleagues.
Sectors
Sector-Specific Training Available
Healthcare
Green Belt using clinical process improvement, patient safety, and healthcare case studies. CCA-recognized stream available.
Local Government
Green Belt for public sector: service delivery, regulatory processes, and cross-departmental improvement projects.
Manufacturing
Green Belt with Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED), supply chain, and production system projects.
Long-term Care
Green Belt for LTC: resident care pathway improvement, staffing processes, and compliance projects.
Construction
Green Belt for construction: project delivery improvement, defect reduction, and schedule reliability.
Financial Services
Green Belt for financial services: process automation, error reduction, and client onboarding improvement.
What participants say
Trusted by professionals across Canada
Very professional and very knowledgeable delivery. I am very inspired and excited to be on the Lean journey.
Group work was fun and covered a variety of roles. Appreciated that content was applicable to our own organization.
Using the tools will help show where waste exists and the cost of that waste — as a municipality we want to provide citizens with the best service for the lowest cost.
Sourced from participant feedback surveys. Names withheld for privacy.
Real Project Examples
See What Belt Graduates Achieve
Green Belt Project Example: Chemically Hazardous Laboratory Waste Disposal
A real Green Belt project storyboard showing Lean applied to laboratory waste management, with measurable impact.
Download PDF ↓Lean Green Belt Project Example Storyboard
A sample Green Belt project storyboard illustrating the project methodology, tools used, and results achieved.
Download PDF ↓Healthcare Green Belt Project Examples
A collection of real Green Belt improvement projects from Canadian healthcare organizations.
Download PDF ↓Lead Improvement Projects That Deliver Real Results
Book a call to discuss Green Belt enrollment. We will help you choose the right delivery format, sector stream, and funding pathway. Canada Job Grant covers up to two-thirds of Green Belt costs in most provinces. Alberta, BC, and other provincial programs may also apply. Contact us to confirm eligibility before enrolling.
FAQ
Common questions
There are no prerequisites for Green Belt. It is a standalone program. Prior Lean experience is helpful but not required.
85 hours of instruction. Instructor-led delivery is typically 8 to 12 weeks. Self-paced participants have up to 6 months to complete.
Assessment is based on a real workplace improvement project and a 100-minute exam. The project should be scoped to a process within your organization.
For organizational delivery, yes. For open enrollment cohorts, participants should have access to a work environment where they can conduct their improvement project.
Yes. OTU-partnered certificates are respected by employers across Canada, the US, the UK, and internationally. The curriculum aligns with global Lean Six Sigma standards.
Yes. We offer Green Belt programs with sector-specific case studies and projects for healthcare, government, manufacturing, and other industries. Contact us to discuss the right version for your context.
Yes. The Canada Job Grant covers up to two-thirds of training costs in most provinces. Provincial equivalents (ATBF in Alberta, ITA ETS in BC, etc.) may also apply. Ask us about eligibility before booking.