Question

Overview of Continuous Improvement Tools and Techniques. Post a short summary of your previous knowledge and experience with lean techniques, quality management, TQM, JIT, and product experimental design. Did your experience change your opinion of continuous improvement? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Total Quality Management (TQM)
Total quality management can be defined as a process of development, maintenance and deployment of the organisational system which are usually required in all the business processes. It can be further described as a cultural bond between different departments of an organisation for improving the overall quality. It is basically based on the idea of maintaining existing quality standards with continuous efforts in making incremental quality improvements.
Six Sigma
Six Sigma can be defined as an improved version of Total Quality Management. In Six Sigma calculation are based on more precise and pre-plan terms. Six Sigma is also very technical and offers DMAIC which stands for define, measure, analyse, improve, control. This specific term make the Six Sigma more precise and accurate in providing solutions which are measurable.
Comparision

Six sigma is compared,Total quality management to Six Sigma, they would be a lot of differences as well as similarities. Six Sigma is a group of processes which is more than just an improvement program. Six Sigma is based on the concept of continuous quality improvement till it reaches to a perfection and by reducing defect this is specific data is achieved. In total quality management we cannot measure the quality in terms of numbers but in Six Sigma it is possible to get the quality and your overall improvement in statistics. Both of the management system work for improving the quality but Six Sigma system is more precise and text in quality management very near to perfection.

One of the the best examples of application of Six Sigma in an organisation is Motorola. Motorola implemented Lean Six Sigma system in their organisation as an experiment to resolve the quality issues which are offering in manufacturing of their phones. By brainstorming and creating affinity diagram as well as histogram and Pareto Charts motorola has successfully determine the problem and improve their overall efficiency in the manufacturing plant.
The basic problem was rectified and was detected as a mechanical failure in the manufacturing unit which was creating a delay in the manufacturing of the devices. By the application of the Six Sigma, the problem was rectified.
A fine example for JIT improvement design is as follows

Toyota has developed a very effective just in time delivery system in which Toyota focuses on small amount of raw material inventory which is always available in the production unit so the production is started as soon as the customer base for the specific product. Toyota also developed a very accurate forecasting method which benefited to create a more intuitive working environment which benefited toyota in a positive manner and improve its overall market position. Tment of proper and aligned system which is monitor properly Toyota one of the world's most effective JIT system.

Continuous improvement is be very beneficial to the organisation. After learning about this specific techniques my opinion of the continuous improvement has been totally changed. Structured approach for Change management as well as reducing change to a very fine level is one of the most important parts which I like about the lean management processes. This type of approach helps an organisation to grow prominently in the specific market segment by using lean approaches to improve the quality and provision of the services.