Why Six Sigma is not TQM

Why Six Sigma is not TQM

Thomas Pyzdek (2001)

Pyzdek Consulting Inc.

http://www.pyzdek.com/six_sigma_vs_tqm.htm

Pyzdek presented a comparative description and application of TQM and Six Sigma. He reiterated that Six Sigma is not TQM and that they have “critical differences”. He also argued that there are numerous cases that proved the failure of TQM as a generic principle in management and “a mushy set of philosophical guidelines” that are impossible to be practically implemented in achieving goals. In contrast, Six Sigma is a specific tools and techniques of management that sprouted from the managerial expertise of America's most gifted CEOs like Motorola's Bob Galvin, AlliedSignal's Larry Bossidy, and GE's Jack Welch.

The TQM control in the early years is blamed to be the root of various shortcomings in manufacturing and production. He identified areas and practices that were neglected. And these shortcomings in areas and practices were addressed by no other than Six Sigma, as he claimed. Six Sigma works for the following advantages: extends of the use of improvement tools to cost, cycle time, and other business issues; discards majority of quality toolkit; integrates organizational goals into the improvement efforts; strives for world-class performance; and creates infrastructure of change agents.

Pyzdek consistently claims that there are other differences between TQM and Six Sigma. However, he also admitted that he worked in organization that used either of the two and produced effective results. In the end, he concluded that Six Sigma is a clearer roadmap to success yet succeeding is not easy. But if organizations are willing to invest, they may find “a pot of gold” that waits for them.

Commenting in this article, it can either be true or false as Pyzdek do not particularly mentioned which type of organizations these two managerial principles take effect to better outcome. Also, the debate on this matter is continuously growing due to the emergence of various trends in the global business arena that may affect the eventual application and effectiveness of such. This article then is useful as a guide yet what counts most is the manager’s innate capability in using the advantages of either TQM or Six Sigma towards the improvement of the organization.