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Sample Engineering Research paper Summary on Total Quality Management-Six Sigma

Total Quality Management – Six Sigma

The six sigma approach to Total Quality Management is essential towards understanding management in any organization. The application of the process in research and development analysis in Motorola and GE yields interesting results. Motorola has a well established R & D strategy that helps in the realization of organizational objectives. The R & D efforts at the company are aimed at the improvement of product and service quality.

Through a well designed laboratory for product analysis, Motorola manages to achieve a high level of performance. Motorola was the first company to initiate the six sigma approach to Total Quality Management. Through its research and development program, Motorola seeks to improve quality beyond competitors such as Apple and Samsung. Some of the programs carried out by the research and development team include programs management, mechanical engineering and industrial designs among other roles.

Through a TQM process that involves process planning and customer focus as some of the key features, both Motorola and GE Inc. have managed to create innovative solutions to technological problems. Motorola for instance, has a joint R& D center with Huawei in China. The center aims at achieving end – to end efficiency. Similarly, GE has established centers of innovation which involve the participation of at least 30,000 technicians with the objectives of creating new innovative products. The centers are of diverse disciplines to enhance the ease of resolution of complex issues.

In addition to this, GE Inc engages in various other practices which ensure that product quality is achieved. With increased expenditures on research and development, engineering management, energy management and other management research facilities, it is expected that the Total Quality Management at GE Inc will go up. The R and D programs used from 2013 were based on the need to redesign products for improved cost advantages. The key objectives as outlined were to improve product quality and thus strengthen the product brands.

The six sigma approach to manufacturing entails processes that are aimed at optimum operations. The method involves integration of several manufacturing processes to promote optimization of lead time through waste elimination. The process is therefore more goal oriented and results focused for the purpose of improving manufacturing methods. The effective implementation of the six sigma manufacturing process requires training in administrative, transactional and engineering functions (Zu and others 641).

Through methods such as quality control, process FMEA and process capability, the six sigma approach ensures optimum operations and waste reduction. The processes used in manufacturing aim at standardizing, simplifying and stabilizing operations towards achievement of manufacturing objectives. The six sigma approach uses methods such as DMAIC which refers to the improvement of existing plants and products and DMADV. The second method involves the development of new products. The first method involves procedures for analysis, improvement and quality control while the second method provides principles for new product development. The six sigma approach was developed from other strategies such as TQM and zero defects (Rajamanoharan and others 211).

The six sigma methods help to eliminate need for intensive engineering training practices through the incorporation of tools such as CTQ tree and the process mapping control charts. The implementation process for six sigma relies on executive leadership for success. The executive is tasked with laying down the process objectives. One of the advantages associated with the six sigma technique is that it allows for changes in the process shifting the status quo (Oakland 67). Quality improvement on the other hand helps to reduce manufacturing errors and to increase productivity. On the other band, quality improvement is also undesirable since the six sigma approach does not place value on employee significance and is expensive.

Works Cited

Oakland, John S. Total quality management and operational excellence: Text with cases. London, UK: Routledge, 2014.

Rajamanoharan, Indra Devi, Paul Collier, and Brian Wright. “Positioning Six Sigma within the quality management agenda: a conceptual framework.” International Journal of Quality and Innovation 1.3 (2011): 197-216.

Zu, Xingxing, Lawrence D. Fredendall, and Thomas J. Douglas. “The evolving theory of quality management: the role of Six Sigma.” Journal of operations Management 26.5 (2008): 630-650.

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