TQM vs. Six Sigma

988 Words2 Pages

Introduction

In a competitive market place, the ability of companies to gain efficiencies through product or process improvements provides the edge to gain market share and increase profits. The need to improve efficiency led to the study of quality management as a discipline essential for the successful business. “Total Quality Management” is one methodology that has key principles to outline methods to improve quality. “Six Sigma” is another methodology created with the goal to increase efficiency and improve quality. Examination of these two methodologies will show two different approaches and principles used to integrate rigorous quality measurement into a management system.

TQM

Modern quality management can be traced back to the early 1920s, when statistical theory was first applied to product quality control. This concept was further developed in Japan in the 1940s and 1950s, and was led by “quality gurus” such as Deming, Juran and Feigenbaum (Business Performance Improvement Resources). Total quality management is the management of initiatives and procedures aimed at achieving the delivery of quality products and services. There are many different aspects of TQM and a variety of principles included in the TQM process. One of the principles is the involvement of executive management to serve as the main driver to create the environment to ensure success. Another principle is training for employees on the methods and concepts of quality. Customer focus is a third principle to ensure that improvements in quality lead to increased customer satisfaction. A fourth principle focuses on making quality decisions based on measurements. This enables quantification to the quality process. The principle of metho...

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...proving the quality of processes and products. The positive aspect of both methods is the desire to internalize the concept of quality within the companies employees and maintain a focus on how to provide a better end product. Each method embraces the concept that there is a cost of poor quality and quality improvement is worth the investment.

Works Cited

Antony, J. (n.d.). Better Management Library. Retrieved April 14, 2011, from BetterManagement.com: http://www.bettermanagement.com/library/library.aspx?l=12450&pagenumber=2

Business Performance Improvement Resources. (n.d.). BPIR.com. Retrieved April 12, 2011, from Total Quality Management: http://www.bpir.com/total-quality-management-bpir.com/menu-id-71.html

Murray, M. (n.d.). Logistics/Supply Chain. Retrieved April 13, 2011, from About.com: http://logistics.about.com/od/qualityinthesupplychain/a/TQM.htm

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