A comparison of five modern improvement approaches

This paper examines the improvement approaches of Total Quality Management (TQM), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Six Sigma and Lean, and undertakes comparative analysis in relation to the two broad types of change processes involved. The argument is made that approaches such as TQM and TPM tend to brand the desired end state, whereas BPR and Six Sigma lay more emphasis on what an organisation must do to achieve the desired end state. It is also pointed out that many of the principles, tools and techniques in each of the approaches is timeless and that all approaches are useful but need to be treated with caution. Also that the replacement improvement approach theory advocated by a few management consultants and academics are wasteful of an organisation's resources and fails to build on the synergy of past experiences.