Six Sigma quality management method is a new method in comparison to Total Quality Management (TQM). When it was founded, it was meant to replace TQM. The two methods of quality management have several similarities, apart from the fact that they are compatible in various business environments that include service and manufacturing industries. TQM has been successful in assisting various manufacturers improve the quality of the goods they manufacture, as well as the services they render their customers/clients. On the other hand, Six Sigma has the capability of delivering sharper results.
Total Quality Management is mostly associated with development, deployment, as well as, the maintenance of various organizational systems which are needed for varied business processes. The basis on which it is built is a strategic approach which focuses on ensuring that existing quality standards are maintained, while incremental quality improvements take place. This method of quality management is a cultural initiative which focuses on the establishment of a culture that promotes collaboration among a number of different functional departments of an organization to ensure improved overall quality.
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"Quality Management Methods: TQM vs. Six Sigma".
Six Sigma, on the other hand, is more than a process improvement method. Its concepts are based on ensuring continuous quality improvements which aim at achieving perfection and restrict possible defects to fewer than 3.4 defects for every million. It is more like Statistical Process Control that uses statistical methods which help in monitoring as well as controlling business processes. While SPC and TQM all contribute towards quality improvement, there comes a stage that neither of them can make any further contributions to quality improvement. Six Sigma, however, is different because it focuses deeply in ensuring quality improvement goes to the next level.
The difference between these two methods is perhaps the approach. TQM sees quality improvement as the conformance to the internal requirements, while Six Sigma bases quality improvement on the reduction of the number of defects in a service or a product. Better quality products are produced in both cases. In Six Sigma, organizations reduce costs through focus on defect reduction, reduction of cycle time, as well as, cost savings. This is a huge difference from conventional cost cutting methods which may reduce quality and value. The focus is on identification and elimination of costs which provide no value to clients like costs incurred due to waste.
TQM focuses on the improvement of individual operations that are in unrelated business processes. Six Sigma, however, focuses on the improvement of all operations in a single business process. Six Sigma projects need skilled professionals who are certified as ‘black belts’. On the other hand, TQM initiatives are simple part time activities which are managed by non-dedicated managers.
Six Sigma initiatives are based on pre-planned project charters which outline project scales, financial targets, the anticipated benefits, as well as, milestones. On the other hand, TQM works without clear distinctions and determination of the financial gains of processes. Six Sigma is based on the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control process that assists in the making of very precise measurements, identification of exact problems, and the provision of solutions which can be measured.
Six Sigma is best placed for patient-care programs. Many processes within healthcare need a near zero tolerance for mistakes and errors; more so, in the clinical setting and emergency departments. Six Sigma brings processes to levels that ensure a defect free approach is taken to positively affect patient care, the safety measures put in place, and the cost reduction, efficiency, and health outcomes are the best. It applies in reducing medication errors, supply management, nursing retention, lab turnaround time, and many other places within a hospital setting.
