Six Sigma Academy Teams with Accenture to Launch eLearning Curriculum.

Business Editors

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 2002

Six Sigma Academy has teamed with Accenture to launch its eLearning Curriculum, a flexible, Web-based training initiative and desktop reference library of six sigma resources. The eLearning curriculum will include Six Sigma Awareness, to help launch and communicate six sigma within an organization, and Green Belt Blended Training, to train large numbers of Six Sigma Green Belts.

"The eLearning curriculum combines the best of both worlds from industry leaders like Accenture and Six Sigma Academy, creating a learning tool that is unmatched in the market," said Mike Mitchael, six sigma deployment manager at Conoco, a major integrated energy company active in more than 40 countries. "Through the use of these tools, we hope to continue the transformation of our business by educating and empowering our employees through six sigma process improvement."

Six sigma is a highly disciplined methodology that uses data and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational performance by identifying and eliminating "defects" in manufacturing and service-related processes.

Six Sigma Academy has adapted its classroom-based courseware -- considered to be the industry-leading six sigma training content -- to the Web by leveraging Accenture's eLearning technology and customized application development expertise. The eLearning curriculum also includes a reference library of six sigma background information, best practices and case studies from industry leaders.

Six Sigma Academy's eLearning curriculum is designed to help companies reduce both the time required to roll out six sigma initiatives across their organizations, as well as the costs associated with six sigma education and training activities. The courses are provided in a customizable, easy-to-use and interactive format. It trains and equips staff to initiate process improvements, as well as help promote and support six sigma implementation.

"We are helping our customers find cost-effective and flexible ways to build knowledge of six sigma within an organization," said Shannon Godden, Six Sigma Academy's eLearning program leader. "These types of learning opportunities and reference tools will help companies work smarter and have a better understanding of how we can help their business."

In addition to helping Six Sigma Academy launch its eLearning Curriculum, Accenture will also add these Six Sigma Academy's courses to the eLearning offering of Accenture's Supply Chain Academy. This is an Internet-based program that integrates global supply chain expertise and eLearning techniques to help clients increase their knowledge of, and capabilities required to improve, their organization's supply chain.

"Our clients are asking us to help them develop innovative ways to train their workforces," said Gene Gutman, a partner in Accenture's Supply Chain Management practice. "By teaming with Six Sigma Academy, Accenture can provide clients with cost-effective and scalable training solutions based on our experience in simulation-based eLearning technology and our extensive eLearning intellectual property."

Among the first courses that Six Sigma Academy will offer through its eLearning curriculum is Six Sigma Awareness. The four-hour course is designed to help companies understand the power and impact that six sigma can have on their business, as well as help them launch and communicate the six sigma methodology within their organizations. The course helps enable a successful six sigma deployment by encouraging management support, a common business language and consistent yet customizable training.

In addition, Six Sigma Academy is also offering Green Belt Blended Training, which is designed to train large numbers of six sigma "green belts" -- individuals capable of forming and facilitating six sigma teams and managing six sigma projects from concept to completion. The 80-hour course is split in half between computer-based training (CBT) and classroom instruction, ensuring the utmost retention and adoption of learned principles.

About Six Sigma Academy

Six Sigma Academy provides business excellence training, consulting and implementation services to the Global 1000 for quantifiable improvements and tangible results. Founded in 1994, Scottsdale, Arizona-based Six Sigma Academy offers a full range of services, as well as a suite of customizable software tools, to help companies achieve breakthrough results including profitability, client satisfaction and business transformation. Its home page is www.6-sigma.com.

About Accenture

Accenture is the world's leading management consulting and technology services organization. Through its network of businesses approach -- in which the company enhances its consulting and outsourcing expertise through alliances, affiliated companies and other capabilities -- Accenture delivers innovations that help clients across all industries quickly realize their visions. With more than 75,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of $11.44 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. Its home page is www.accenture.com.