Our Story
The Chartered Institute of Lean Six Sigma (CILS) was founded in 2021 by a group of seasoned Lean Six Sigma practitioners, academics, and business leaders who recognised a critical gap in the professional landscape: there was no globally recognised, independent chartered body dedicated exclusively to Lean Six Sigma excellence.
While many certification bodies offer training and examinations, CILS was created to go further to provide a professional home for practitioners at every stage of their career, to validate lived experience alongside academic qualifications, and to establish a universally trusted standard of professional recognition.
From our founding in the United States, CILS has grown into a truly international institute, welcoming members from across the globe and building a community grounded in rigour, ethics, and a shared passion for operational excellence.
Advancing Professional Excellence
Since 2021
Our Mission
To advance the discipline of Lean Six Sigma by establishing a globally respected standard of professional membership that recognises expertise, promotes ethical practice, and connects a worldwide community of operational excellence practitioners.
Our Vision
To be the world's foremost chartered professional body for Lean Six Sigma, where membership is recognised as the definitive mark of excellence, integrity, and commitment to continuous improvement across every industry and sector.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide everything we do as a professional institute
Excellence
Apply professional rigour, sound methods, due care, and continual improvement. Evidence is sufficient; methods fit the problem; limitations are stated; learning is maintained.
Integrity
Act honestly, transparently, consistently, and for legitimate purposes. Claims match evidence; conflicts are disclosed; promises and professional boundaries are respected.
Inclusivity
Respect human dignity and enable fair participation across sector, nation, identity, ability, language, and level. Affected people are heard; bias and exclusion are actively addressed.
Community
Strengthen the profession through collaboration, mentoring, knowledge sharing, and responsible service. Credit is shared; emerging practitioners are supported; disagreement remains evidence-led.
Advisory Board
CILS is guided by an international advisory board of distinguished Lean Six Sigma practitioners, academics, and business leaders who bring decades of combined expertise and global perspective.
Advisory board members will be announced soon.