The evolution of Quality Management over time has shifted from simple problem solving to structural prevention of the causes of problems.

Lean Six Sigma is the most current evolution of methods leading toward Operational Excellence, combining the application speed of the Toyota Production System with the analytical rigor of Six Sigma born in Motorola and later developed in General Electrics.

The 'ultimate goal is to achieve operational excellence in processes that substantially influence market and customer perceptions of quality.

Between 1996 and 1999, numerous U.S. companies applied the methodology-Honeywell, Allied Signal, ABB, Xerox, Polaroid, Texas Instruments, Whirlpool, Nokia, Sony, Dell Computer, American Express, and Hertz, to name only the major ones. To date, about 80% of the top l00 global companies surveyed by Fortune, and 50% of the top 500, are currently using Six Sigma and report substantial savings from its application.

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