UWI SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & APPLIED STUDIES T/A ROYTEC

In determining the quality

standard for a project.
They are many choices,
TQM, Six Sigma, ISO, etc.
Compare and Contrast the
similarities and
differences of these
standards.
Student #20120410
Kirt Lee Baptiste
#20120410Project Monitoring & ControlKirt Lee Baptiste

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................ 3
Total Quality Management (TQM)............................................................................4
TQM in Relation to Projects & Project Management..............................................4
Six Sigma................................................................................................................ 5
Six Sigma Types................................................................................................... 5
Six Sigma in relation to Projects and Project Management..................................6
TQM versus Six Sigma................................................................................................ 6
ISO.............................................................................................................................. 7
Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 7
Appendix.................................................................................................................... 8
References................................................................................................................ 11
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Introduction
Before we can approach answering this topic one must understand what is
meant by the term quality standard. There are a slew of definitions for the
term quality standard, but one universal definition is difficult to unearth. If
we dissect the word and merge the meanings of each respective word, we
can have a greater understanding of the term. Merriam-Webster states that
quality is a degree of excellence and a standard is something established
by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or an example. Merging
the two should be simply enough? A quality standard is a degree of
excellence established by an authority as an example. Correct? Maybe, two
formal definitions of quality standard include:

1. Represents an agreed level of service or organisational performance that

should be met each and every time1.
2. Specifications of an operation with regard to products and service 2.

Now that we understand what is meant by the term quality standard we

can now discuss the following quality standards measures in relation to
determining the quality standard for a project3. Therefore what measures do
project managers put in place to ensure this level of quality is ensured in this
temporary endeavour which creates a unique product, service or result?

1
http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_nra_foundations_2/163/41977/10746352.cw/content/in
dex.html

2 http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/tools-and-resources/terms-and-definitions/Glossary

3 A project is defined as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique

product, service or result (Institute)
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Total Quality Management (TQM)

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a structured system for meeting and
exceeding customer needs and expectations by creating organization-wide
participation in the planning and implementation of breakthrough and
continuous improvement processes (see Figure 1). It integrates with the
business plan of the organization and can positively influence customer
satisfaction and market share growth. It is also a system of management and
a way of working, not a program that an organization simply sets in motion
and then walks away from. It is not Statistical Process Control (SPC), project
teams, employee involvement, or Quality Control. It is a discrete form of
organizational management that encompasses all levels of the organization
in a focused and ongoing effort to provide products and services that satisfy
customer demands. TQM is also unique because it is a system that is
applicable across a wide variety of business sectors and functions(Inc. and
AC02233620]).

TQM in Relation to Projects & Project Management

It is very well known that every project has a lifecycle, thus, relating TQM to
a project is very simple. Total quality management (TQM) as it relates to
project management is a technique or strategy that is implemented to
assure that an awareness of quality is embedded in all phases of the project
from conception to completion4. In layman terms, all this states that an
accepted level of quality should adhered to in/at all stages of the projects
lifecycle (see Figure 1), in order to ensure a quality standard throughout the
project.

If total quality isnt ensured at each and every stage of the project the
success ratio of that project could be negatively affected, hence, assuring
that total quality is ensured at all times instead of some times is a crucial
and should be part of every project managers routine in executing a project.
Not adhering to this principle or strategy could lead to something called the
butterfly effect where problems or issues could arise later down in the
sequence of events relating to that particular project.

4 http://project-management-knowledge.com/definitions/t/total-quality-
management-tqm/
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Six Sigma
In 1986, Bill Smith, a senior engineer and scientist at Motorola, introduced
the concept of Six Sigma to standardize the way defects are counted.5 It was
then popularised after then CEO of General Electric (1995) made it the
central focus of his business strategy in 1995.6

Six Sigma is a thorough and disciplined methodology that uses data and
statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational
performance by identifying and eliminating "defects" in manufacturing and
service-related processes. Six Sigma standard is 3.4 defects per million parts
or 99.99966% of products manufactured are defect free.

Six Sigma is driven by understanding customer needs, disciplined use of

facts, data and statistical (probability and normal distribution) analysis, and
diligent attention to managing, improving and reinventing business
processes.

Six Sigma efforts target three main areas:

1. Improving Customer 2. Reducing Process Cycle 3. Reducing

Satisfaction Time Defects

Six Sigma Types

Therere two main types of Six Sigma Methodologies:

DMAIC (refer to Figure 4) which is an acronym for: Define Measure, Analyse,

Improve, and Control. It is directed towards improvement of existing product,
process or service.

And DMADV (refer to Figure 3) which is an acronym for: Define, Measure,

Analyse, Design, and Verify. It is a strategy for designing new products,
processes and services.

5
http://web.archive.org/web/20051106025733/http://www.motorola.com/content/0,,3
079,00.html

6 http://www.pqa.net/ProdServices/sixsigma/W06002009.html
#20120410Project Monitoring & ControlKirt Lee Baptiste

Six Sigma in relation to Projects and Project Management

Similar to TQM the principles of Six Sigma if incorporated within the lifecycle
of a project could only prove beneficial, by ensuing a quality standard is
adhered to with the projects lifecycle.

Six Sigma is a robust and continuous improvement strategy. If projects are

implemented properly, aiming to give value-added output to the customer
becomes ingrained into the companys culture. It brings about relevant and
lasting changes in an organization as a whole.

TQM versus Six Sigma

TQM is a philosophy aiming for the achievement of quality in all products and
processes. In contrast, Six Sigma is a business system focusing on the
systematic increase of a companys profitability by reducing the variability in
its processes (Wessel). Six Sigma would be in line with the traditional TQM
philosophy. It aims to achieve an increase in the process capability; but only
when a measurable contribution to the profits of a firm will be achieved.

Total Quality Management (TQM) as a concept was replaced by Six Sigma.

Six Sigma includes all tools and philosophies of TQM, and almost everything
one would do in a Six Sigma project could have and would have been done
under TQM. But history of when and why TQM failed led to some
improvements, thus Six Sigma incorporates these.

One of the biggest differences between Six Sigma and TQM at Ford is that
previous philosophies focused on fixing the problem and did not worry about
the cost. Thus, the main difference between TQM and Six Sigma is based on
the realisation that doing things effectively and efficiently does not naturally
#20120410Project Monitoring & ControlKirt Lee Baptiste

mean that it is also contributing positively to the bottom line namely profits
and cash flows.

Even though both TQM and Six Sigma have their differences, they also have
many similarities, some of which include:

A customer orientation and focus

A process view of work

A continuous improvement mindset

A goal of improving all aspects and functions of the organizations

Databased decision-making

Benefits depend highly on effective implementation

ISO
Since were on the topic of quality standards, its necessary we give an
honourable mention to ISO. ISO is an acronym for International Organization
for Standardization7, which is the worlds largest developer of voluntary
International Standards. International Standards give state of the art
specifications for products, services and good practice, helping to make
industry more efficient and effective. Founded in 1947, ISO have published
more than 19 500 International Standards covering almost all aspects of
technology and business, from food safety to computers, and agriculture to
healthcare, etc.

In relation to projects and project management, ISO standards help for good
practice in project management that will subsequently increase efficiency
and maximize the effect of investments. Two ISO standards in particular
which aids in project management are: ISO 9000 and 21500.

The ISO 9000 Standards are highly helpful for project management. These
standards focus on management and leadership, especially with regards to
quality management and processes. As both of these play a vital role within
project management8. In contrast ISO 21500 standard benefits include9:

7 http://www.iso.org/iso/about.htm
 #20120410Project Monitoring & ControlKirt Lee Baptiste

i. Encourage transfer of knowledge between projects and organizations for

improved project delivery

ii. Facilitate efficient tendering processes through the use of consistent

project management terminology

iii. Enable the flexibility of project management employees and their ability
to work on international projects

iv. Provide universal project management principles and processes

Conclusion
Whichever method or technique used as a quality standard could benefit a project,
but it alls depends on the type of project. For instance, short or small projects would
benefit from all quality standards discussed above but would all be truly beneficially
to the success outcome of the project, some methods could sacrifice valuable time.
While this is true it is very important to note that a quality of standard must be
adhered to in any project undertaking as its a true means of delivering quality to a
project.

Appendix

8 http://cobaltpm.com/effective-project-management-through-the-use-of-iso-
standards/

9 http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/news_archive/news.htm?refid=Ref1662
#20120410Project Monitoring & ControlKirt Lee Baptiste

Figure 1
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Figure 2
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Figure 3

Figure 4
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References

Inc., GOAL QPC, and A. AC02233620]. Total Quality Management Master Plan
Research Report: An Implementation Strategy. Goal Q P C Incorporated,
1990. Print.
Institute, Project Management. A Guide to the Project Management Body of
Knowledge: Pmbok Guide. Project Management Inst, 2008. Print.
Wessel, Godecke. "A Comparison of Traditional Tqm Methodologies with the Six
Sigma Approach for Quality Management." Six-Sigma-Quality. de, Hamburg,
available at: www. wesselgo. de/sixsigma/reference/SSQ2_Differ
ence_TQM_SixSigma. pdf (accessed 15 April 2008) (2003). Print.