At its core, Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach aimed at reducing defects and improving processes. It focuses on process improvement by identifying and eliminating the causes of errors and minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes.

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a systematic approach to achieving long-term success through customer satisfaction. It involves every employee in an organization, from senior management to frontline staff, in the continuous improvement of processes, products, and services.