TQM Tools and Techniques in Operations Management

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

A systematic method for evaluating and improving the reliability of a product or process by identifying potential failure modes and their effects.

Risk Priority Number (RPN)

A score calculated in FMEA by multiplying the severity, occurrence, and detectability scores to prioritize failure modes.

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

An industry-standard methodology for measuring and controlling quality during the manufacturing process to enable continual improvement.

Quality of Conformance

A manufacturing state in which the product fully conforms to its intended design and characteristics.

Chance Variation

A manufacturing state where the product differs in design and characteristics due to the combined natural influences in the production process; also known as random variation.

Assignable Variation

A manufacturing state where the product differs in design and characteristics due to an identifiable cause that can be easily eliminated; also known as nonrandom variation.

Six Sigma Methodology

An approach that improves production processes to make a company more competitive, profitable, and successful by minimizing defects.

DMAIC

The five-phase Six Sigma methodology consisting of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Lean Management Principles

An approach focused on maximizing customer value while minimizing waste to develop a better product or service with a minimum number of resources.

Overproduction Waste

A type of lean waste referring to the excessive manufacturing of a product or delivery of a service beyond what is required.

Inventory Waste

A type of lean waste referring to excessive inventory stored in a warehouse or assembly station.

Motion Waste

A type of lean waste referring to unnecessary movement in the production process or during the delivery of services.

Defects Waste

A type of lean waste referring to rejected work or rework resulting from production or processing errors.

Waiting Waste

A type of lean waste referring to the idle time of people, machines, or processes caused by unavailable resources.

Underutilization Waste

A type of lean waste referring to the underuse of technological capabilities or the underutilized talents, skills, and creativity of people.

Pareto Analysis

A decision-making technique used to prioritize factors based on the principle that $$80\text