General Questions About Six Sigma

1. How is Six Sigma different from TQM?

While Six Sigma is certainly different from previous initiatives, it builds on many of the aspects of previous improvement initiatives, especially TQM. Like most of these initiatives, TQM had much to offer and was fundamentally sound technically, but often lacked a deployment process and the associated managerial and leadership components needed to drive fundamental change.

Some of the components of TQM that are found in Six Sigma are:

  • A customer orientation and focus

  • A process view of work

  • A continuous improvement mindset

  • A goal of improving all aspects and functions of the organization

  • Data-based decision making

  • The use of statistical tools on a broad basis

There is very little ...

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