Over the last several years there has been an active debate in the Six Sigma community around delivery methods for Six Sigma training. The question of using traditional, instructor-led classroom training versus online or blended learning models has been asked numerous times on public discussion forums such as iSixSigma. The responses are generally anecdotal rather than data-driven. This presentation compares instructor-led classroom training and blended training for Black Belts at Quest Diagnostics. The components of this blended training model are online training, practice-based classroom training, and virtual coaching.

The results of a year-long study at Quest Diagnostics showed retention of the material increased 22%, while over 90% of the participants preferred the blended training approach over traditional, classroom-only training. These results are highly consistent with numerous academic studies comparing the effectiveness of alternate training models, which will be referenced. Along with these results, key lessons learned from the Quest Diagnostics experience will be presented, including the timing of the blended learning synchronous sessions and the design of classroom activities used to supplement e-Learning.