Which term describes the continuous improvement philosophy used throughout an entire organization?

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a philosophy and approach focused on continuously improving the quality of products and services through the ongoing refinement of organizational processes. It emphasizes a holistic approach to long-term success that derives from customer satisfaction, involving all members of an organization in the improvement of processes, products, services, and the culture in which they work.

The essence of TQM is that quality is not just the responsibility of a specific department; instead, it engages the entire organization in a collective endeavor to improve and perfect processes. By fostering a culture that prioritizes quality and involving employees at all levels in this mission, TQM aims to create a shared responsibility for quality that permeates the entire organization.

In contrast, while Six Sigma focuses on reducing defects and improving processes through defined statistical methods, Lean Management centers specifically on eliminating waste and improving flow in processes. Kaizen, on the other hand, refers to the practice of continuous, incremental improvement, but typically at the level of teams or specific areas rather than organization-wide. TQM encompasses principles from these methodologies while promoting a comprehensive, organization-wide commitment to quality and improvement.