Syllabus · Project Management

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Syllabus: The DMAIC Phases

intermediate

The IASSC Lean Six Sigma Green Belt syllabus in plain English: the five DMAIC phases - Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control - and what each tests.

By The Exam Atlas Editorial Team · Verified 2026-06-05

The IASSC Lean Six Sigma Green Belt exam is organised around the five DMAIC phases. Rather than headline percentage weights, learn the tools by phase. The statistics concentrate in Measure and Analyze, which is where most candidates lose marks. Confirm the current body of knowledge on the IASSC certification page.

PhaseWhat it covers
DefineProject selection, voice of the customer, CTQs, problem statement, project charter
MeasureProcess mapping, data types, measurement systems, basic statistics, process capability
AnalyzeRoot-cause analysis, hypothesis testing, correlation, regression basics
ImproveGenerating, piloting and implementing improvements
ControlControl plans, statistical process control (SPC), sustaining the gains

How to study it

Learn each tool in the context of its DMAIC phase, so you know when to use it, not just what it is. Put extra time into the Measure and Analyze statistics - data types, capability, hypothesis testing - because they are heavily represented and easy to under-prepare. Remember there are several Six Sigma bodies (IASSC, ASQ and others); study the IASSC body of knowledge if you are taking this route. Confirm the current curriculum on the IASSC certification page.

FAQ

What topics are on the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt exam?
The IASSC body of knowledge is organised around DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. The Measure and Analyze phases carry the statistics and are where most candidates lose marks.
Does IASSC publish a percentage weight per phase?
IASSC publishes a detailed body of knowledge by phase but does not headline a single percentage per phase the way some exams do, so study all five DMAIC phases and give extra time to Measure and Analyze.

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