TQM is similar to Six Sigma; TQM focuses on improving internal guidelines and process standards to reduce errors, while Six Sigma concentrates on reducing defects.
Once the hottest trend in quality management, Six Sigma no longer makes headlines. Still, despite a lower profile, the process remains relevant.
Strengthen supply chains with lean six sigma
Supply chain disruptions increased by 32 percent year-over-year (YoY) in 2022, according to risk analysis firm Resilinc. Though supply chain disruptions appear to be on the decline, it is unlikely that supply chains will normalize to pre-2020 levels in 2023.
If the goal is to achieve near-perfect levels of quality, Six Sigma may be the best approach. However, if the goal is to create a culture of continuous improvement with a focus on efficiency and waste reduction, then Kaizen may be a better fit.
Six Sigma is a set of methodologies and tools used to improve business processes by reducing defects and errors, minimizing variation, and increasing quality and efficiency. The goal of Six Sigma is to achieve a level of quality that is nearly perfect, with only 3.4 defects per million opportunities.
Management lacks the commitment to provide the resources. Six Sigma projects require people from different departments to come join, do data analyses and if these people are not freed or spared from that department, you really cannot do anything. The project is bound to fail.
The new Agile Sigma approach is a four-phase adaptation of the standard five phase Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology – to provide a streamlined process for more efficient execution and results.
Kanban is a visual Lean Tool and is often applied in combination with JIT (Just-In-Time). Components are only produced when they are needed. Kanban comes from the Japanese words 'kan', which means 'visual' and 'ban', which means 'card' or 'board'.
TQM defines quality as the process meeting the standards established by the organization. But, Six Sigma defines it as the process with minimum amounts of defects. This is why TQM delivers superior quality manufactured goods, while Six Sigma delivers better results and customer satisfaction.
If you want to improve overall efficiency, 5S may be the way to go. If you are trying to eliminate defects specifically, Six Sigma may be a better fit. Both 5S and Six Sigma are excellent methods for improving efficiency.
Incorrect Scope. Almost invariably, the failure of any Lean Six Sigma project can be traced to a scope that was too broad. Trying to minimize variation in an entire product, for example, is so defocused that little improvement can happen in any part of the product.
Every Six Sigma project team requires at least one Six Sigma Green Belt. This certification enhances the knowledge base and ability to use the DMAIC approach and Lean methodologies. Whether a person is responsible for directing their own projects or just wants an education, it is a perfect certificate to get.
Does Six Sigma certification expire? Six sigma certifications are valid for three years only hence you will need to go for recertification after that time period.
Complicated. Part of what makes Six Sigma successful is also something that creates a weakness. The model requires a significant amount of statistical data gathering and analysis. The process is complicated and time consuming.
Many critics of Six Sigma feel that although the project-focused nature of Green Belt and Black Belt improvements are a key component in its success, typically, these type of activities do not iteratively improve the same process.
Six sigma is not a management fad; however its implementation by different organizations can make it a fad. If six sigma is implemented with the right approach it would be a great methodology to build continuous improvement culture within the organization.
Kaizen is an approach to creating continuous improvement based on the idea that small, ongoing positive changes can reap significant improvements. Typically, it is based on cooperation and commitment and stands in contrast to approaches that use radical or top-down changes to achieve transformation.
Six Sigma is the highest level of Sigma, which dictates that the margin of error can be up to six standard deviations from the mean. This results in a 99.999997% rate of accuracy, maximizing efficiency and reducing defects more than the lower Sigma levels.
Kaizen is a process oriented concept. It focuses on the improvement of the process to get improved results in every sphere of life. On the other hand, TQM is a product oriented and customer focus concept. It focuses on the quality of the product to satisfy the customer.
Kaizen and Six Sigma process are used by industries around the world and, while they both refer to lean principles of eliminating waste, there are distinct differences in how each methodology gets implemented.
Kaizen and Lean Six Sigma are both methodologies to increase customer satisfaction, to realise lasting improvement of company results and to continuously improve processes (the way we work). In both cases, this is about the reduction of waste and variation.
Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practitioners may lead the team, conduct kaizen training, or act as an advisor/coach. The project is clearly defined and preliminary data has already been gathered. The team usually works from a value stream map.
Between the PMP and Six Sigma certifications, one is not better than the other. They just have different focus areas. If you want to be a project manager, you choose PMP. If you want to work in quality assurance or process improvement, go for the Six Sigma certification.
Difference Between Six Sigma and Scrum
Both are effective at improving quality and reducing waste. However, have very different goals, especially in measuring success. Six Sigma aims to reduce defects by improving processes and tools, while Scrum aims to reduce defects by building products that people want.