DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITES BETWEEN TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, ISO 9001, LEAN PRODUCTION, AND SIX SIGMA

Abstract

Abstract: Total quality management is a management approach with the goal to achieve customer satisfactionthrough product, service, and organizational culture improvement. ISO 9000 is a set of international standards thatis developed for achieving an effective quality management system in order to satisfy customer needs. The concept oflean production is described as a systematic approach to reduce the number of defect products, and reduce the sizeof the warehouse, without lowering productivity. Six sigma includes tools, and techniques for improving processesregarding quality, and reducing the number of defect products. In this paper the differences, and similarities of totalquality management, ISO 9001, lean production, and six sigma, will be investigated. The paper presents the criteriafor successful implementation, and use of the mentioned concepts in various companies. The amount of risk thateach concept brings is also evaluated. The goal of the paper is an analytic approach, and a concise description ofquality management systems, and business performance imrpovement.