Improving the quality of processes and maintaining acceptable levels of performance quality are critical factors in the success of any organization. Over the past thirty or so years there have been waves of interest and application of several seemingly different approaches beginning with the Total Quality Management (TQM) “revolution of the 1970’s and 80’s and including Six Sigma, BPR, Lean, etc. Often, there has been a focus on the “wave of the moment” and this has led to attempts to implement magic bullet or overly restricted methods. A variety of methodologies are available for process improvement. These include Six Sigma, Lean Management, Lean Six Sigma, Agile Management, Re-engineering, Total Quality Management, Just-In-Time, Kaizen, Hoshin Planning, Poka-Yoka, Design of Experiments, and Process Excellence. 

Six-Sigma is now considered to be THE APPROACH to quality improvement. All 500 of the Fortune 500 companies have Six Sigma programs built into their management structure.