Page 44 - Yellow Belt Six Sigma II

Total Quality Management-TQM

• Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management approach that seeks to

optimize the quality of products and services by involving all employees in
continuous improvement efforts, and by continuously improving the

processes that create products and services. TQM is a customer-focused,
data-driven approach to quality management that emphasizes the

involvement of all employees in quality improvement activities.

• One example of TQM in action is the Japanese automaker Toyota. Toyota has

a long-standing commitment to TQM and is known for its "Toyota Production
System" (TPS), which is based on the principles of TQM. TPS is a

comprehensive system of management that includes techniques such as just-

in-time inventory, continuous improvement, and waste reduction.

• TQM emphasizes the customer, continuous improvement, a process-centered

approach and data-driven decisions.