Public Health focus, instructor: Krista Galic
Black Belt
Lean Black Belt Certification
Build and lead an organization-wide continuous improvement capability. Black Belt is for transformation leaders, not just project practitioners.
Belt graduates from leading organizations
Investment
$4,975 CAD + applicable taxes
Group pricing available for organizational cohorts.
Training funding
You may qualify for up to $4,100 back.
Canadian employer-funded training programs (Canada-Ontario Job Grant, BC ETG, NEI for nursing, and other provincial and sector grants) may cover a significant portion of tuition for eligible employers and learners.
See if you qualify →Funding is administered by federal, provincial, and sector agencies, not by Leading Edge Associates. Program availability, eligibility, and reimbursement rates change. See the funding page for current program status.
Open enrollment cohorts
Upcoming Black Belt cohorts you can join
Public cohorts open to individual enrollment. Each runs live online; instructor-led with fixed dates. No employer sponsor required.
About this program
What is the Black Belt?
The Lean Black Belt is a 160-hour advanced certification for leaders who are responsible for building, managing, and sustaining organization-wide improvement programs. Where Green Belt practitioners lead individual projects, Black Belts lead the system: they design improvement infrastructure, coach Green Belts, manage improvement portfolios, and integrate Lean thinking into the operating model of the organization. The program is also delivered via self-paced online learning plus on-demand mentoring. Participants have up to 12 months to complete. Assessment: 4 module assignments and a workplace improvement project.
Curriculum
Program Themes
The full program is delivered across 10 modules. The themes below summarize the scope; detailed topic outlines are available in the program brochure.
Strategy, Chartering, and Project Planning
Applying Lean at an organizational level: strategic context (SWOT, VOC, CTQ), project charters, SIPOC, triple constraints, milestones, risk mapping, and stakeholder planning.
Advanced Analysis and Value Stream Mapping
Data types and sampling, operational definitions, Gemba walks, and current- and future-state value stream mapping using flow, pull, and cellular design.
Problem Solving and Solution Design
Kaizen event facilitation, structured root cause tools, prioritization matrices, Theory of Constraints, and Lean production concepts for solution selection.
Leadership, Implementation, and Control
Lean leadership, change management, advanced visual management, 5S auditing, FMEA, piloting, RACI, control plans, financial tracking, and project handover.
Meet your instructors
Delivered by a rotating bench of certified Lean and Black Belt practitioners
LEA cohorts are not one-instructor classrooms. We staff each session from a bench of certified trainers and coaches so participants benefit from a range of sector experience. Here is who you are likely to learn from.
Featured instructor
Chris Chadwick
Lean Trainer and Consultant
Chris coaches Green and Black Belt practitioners through complex workplace improvement projects. Strong on advanced Lean Sigma tools, value stream design, and sustaining change at the organizational level.
Meet the full LEA team →Also on the instructor bench
Mayank Chadha
Managing Director, Leading Edge Associates. Ex-McKinsey.
Krista Galic
Lean Sigma Black Belt, RN, MPH, Prosci Certified Change Practitioner
Shrikant Kelkar
Consultant and Strategic Executive Advisor
Want the complete program details?
Download Brochure
Ready to put this into practice?
OTU-partnered · Canada Job Grant funding may cover up to two-thirds of your costs
Enroll Now
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Flexibility
Delivery Options
Instructor-led (in-person or virtual)
Live sessions over 6 to 9 months, with independent project work between sessions. 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 12 months to complete.
Blended
Self-paced modules combined with live instructor-led coaching sessions and project mentoring.
What you walk away with
Practical capability, not just theory
Build CI Infrastructure
Design the management systems, governance, and daily accountability structures for a sustained improvement program.
Coach Green Belts
Review projects, give structured feedback, and develop the next generation of improvement leaders in your organization.
Manage an Improvement Portfolio
Select, prioritize, and track multiple concurrent projects aligned to strategic goals.
OTU Credential (add-on)
Add an OTU-partnered Black Belt certificate: internationally recognized and respected across Canada, the US, and globally. Additional fee applies.
Recognized
Your Credentials & Recognition
Ontario Tech University (OTU)
OTU-partnered Lean Black Belt certificate. Internationally recognized. Assessment: 4 module assignments and a workplace improvement project.
The OTU certificate of completion is an optional add-on. A separate OTU certification fee applies in addition to the training cost. For a cohort where certification is bundled, see our Open Enrollment program.
Certification pathway
Belt Pathway
Black Belt is the peak of the Lean certification pathway. Prerequisites: Green Belt certification or equivalent demonstrated project leadership experience. Black Belts typically lead 4 to 6 improvement projects per year while simultaneously coaching and developing Green Belt practitioners.
Sectors
Sector-Specific Training Available
Healthcare
Black Belt for healthcare quality leaders: patient safety, flow transformation, and clinical operations.
Local Government
Black Belt for public sector CI leaders: service delivery transformation and cross-departmental program management.
Manufacturing
Black Belt for manufacturing: enterprise Lean, supply chain, and operational excellence leadership.
Long-term Care
Black Belt for LTC: quality improvement leadership, accreditation support, and care transformation programs.
Financial Services
Black Belt for financial services: operations transformation, regulatory improvement, and client experience programs.
Real Project Examples
See What Belt Graduates Achieve
Case Study
Black Belt Project Example Storyboard
A sample Black Belt project storyboard showing the improvement methodology, analysis tools, and quantified results.
Download PDF ↓
Case Study
Improving Patient Flow Through Structured Care Planning
A healthcare Black Belt project demonstrating structured Lean methodology and measurable patient flow improvement.
Download PDF ↓
Case Study
Lean Black Belt Journey: Participant Profile
A participant profile tracing the full Black Belt journey from enrollment through project completion and certification.
Download PDF ↓Free Resource
Lean Black Belt Program Guide
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Build an Organization That Improves Continuously
Book a call to discuss Black Belt enrollment. We will assess your readiness, recommend the right delivery format, and identify funding options for your organization. Canada Job Grant and provincial equivalents can significantly offset Black Belt tuition costs. Contact us to confirm eligibility for your organization and province.
FAQ
Common questions
Green Belt certification is required, or the equivalent in demonstrated project leadership experience. Contact us to discuss your background if you have not completed a formal Green Belt program.
160 hours of instruction. Instructor-led delivery is typically 6 to 9 months. Self-paced participants have up to 12 months to complete.
Assessment includes 4 module assignments completed throughout the program and a workplace improvement project demonstrating measurable results.
Black Belt is designed for experienced practitioners who are moving into CI leadership roles: Quality Managers, CI Directors, Operations Leaders, and senior improvement specialists. If you are leading a team of Green Belts or building an organizational CI program, Black Belt is the right credential.
Yes. OTU-partnered Black Belt certificates are recognized by employers in Canada, the US, the UK, and globally. The program aligns with international Lean Six Sigma standards.
Yes. The Canada Job Grant and provincial equivalents can significantly offset the cost. Organizational sponsorship is common at this level. Contact us to discuss funding options for your situation.