Introduction
Total quality management (TQM) is a business strategy employed by companies or profit making originations to increase customer satisfaction as well as improve their internal processes (McNamara, 2011).
Six sigma on the other hand is a methodology applied by companies and organisations in defining, measuring, improving, analysing and controlling the quality of all companies’ processes, products and transactions with an objective of minimizing or eliminating defects (Seattle, 2003).
TQM and six sigma therefore focus on overall improvement of companies’ production through establishment of short term and long term strategies and processes.
Different companies use either TQM or six sigma as a strategy to improve their business quality. In the implementation of both, there are some factors which must be considered. This assignment will identify them and discuss examples of companies which have applied TQM and six sigma strategies
Discussion
The main implementation issues associated with TQM include understanding of TQM and what it entails, establishing an organisational culture which can support the implementation of TQM, aligning TQM implementation with the priorities of the organisation and understanding of the time frames necessary for the implementation of the TQM.
All these are very important especially to the top management of the organization or company (Seattle, 2003).
The main implementation issues associated with six sigma include data collection on customer satisfaction, minimization of defects in process of product production, training of both the top management and the workforce on six sigma process, and a shift in thinking by managers from thinking in terms of events to thinking in terms of processes.
This is an orientation strategy which encourages the management and the employees to commit themselves in the improvement of quality of processes and products for the company (Slide Share, 2011). Many companies have implemented TQM.
An ex ample of a company which has implemented TQM is the Xerox Corporation which deals with photocopying machines and other information technology accessories. One company which has implemented the six sigma approach is the Motorola Company, which deals with mobile phones.
THE Xerox Corporation used the TQM to increase its competitiveness among other companies which deal with similar products and goods at the international level. The implementation of TQM by the organization included the implementation of programs like reducing the supply base, benchmarking and the formation of leadership teams. This made the corporation win the quality prize in the year 1980 (Brownie Freelance Limited, 2010).
Motorola Company is an organization which has implemented the six sigma successfully for over 25 years. The use of six sigma has helped the company improve on the quality of its products and services, making it very famous among its competitors.
Even though the company has successfully implemented the six sigma, the technology manager Karen Ridges acknowledged that they were faced with the challenge of sustaining the knowledge gained through six sigma in the future activities of the company (Slide Share, 2011).
Conclusion
Both TQM and six sigma are very important strategies for the improvement of the quality of companies’ products and services. Different companies use either TQM or six sigma to improve the quality of their products and services and increase their competitiveness among the other companies engaged in similar businesses as well as increase customer satisfaction.
One company which has applied the TQM approach is Xerox Corporation which deals with ICT products and services while the Motorola Company is an example of a company which have successfully implemented the six sigma approach in improving the quality of its gods and services.
Reference List
Brown Freelance Limited. (2010). Total Quality Management Essay. Web.
McNamara, C. (2011). 7 Important Principles of Total Quality Management. Web.
Seattle, (2003). Primus Customer Motorola Successfully Embodies Six Sigma Quality Initiative for 25 Years; Primus. Web.
Slide Share. (2011) Six Sigma Implementation: – Some Issues – Document Transcript. Web.