Understanding Key Decision Factors in Course Selection Using Choice Design (2025-US-PO-2417)

Selecting the right Black Belt training program is a crucial decision for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in Six Sigma methodologies. To understand the most influential factors in this decision-making process, I conducted a choice design experiment with more than 80 participants via LinkedIn polls. The study evaluated five key attributes, including pricing, training modality, process certification, software used, and coaching hours, across multiple levels.

My results provided valuable insights into what truly drives professionals’ choices. Surprisingly, the most influential factor was the type of software used in the course, with JMP emerging as the top preference among respondents. This finding underscores the critical role that statistical software plays in shaping learners' decisions and highlights the importance of aligning course offerings with market expectations.

This presentation walks through the research methodology, from experimental design to data collection and analysis, demonstrating how choice design can be effectively applied in educational and professional training contexts. Additionally, it aims to showcase the power of this tool and how it can be leveraged across different industries to optimize decision-making processes. The findings offer insights for training providers aiming to optimize their programs and better meet the needs of prospective students.

The choice design was conducted with Brazilian respondants, through 12 Linkedin polls over three weeks. The data table has more than 600 rows. The study is statistically significant and the results are amazing.