Motorola: Driving Quality Through Six Sigma
Company: Motorola (USA)
Industry: Electronics Manufacturing
Motorola's TQM journey, particularly its adoption of Six Sigma, is a well-documented real-life
case study showcasing the impact of quality improvement methodologies. In the 1980s,
Motorola faced stiff competition and declining quality in its products. To address these issues,
they embarked on a company-wide TQM initiative with a strong focus on Six Sigma.
Six Sigma Explained:
Six Sigma is a data-driven quality methodology that aims to eliminate defects and achieve
near-perfect performance. It utilizes statistical tools and techniques to identify and eliminate the
root causes of process variations that lead to errors.
Details of Motorola's Implementation:
● Leadership Commitment: Senior management at Motorola championed the Six Sigma
initiative, providing resources and training for employees at all levels.
● Employee Training: Motorola invested heavily in training employees in Six Sigma principles
and tools. This empowered employees to identify and solve quality problems.
● Focus on Data and Measurement: Data collection and analysis became central to
Motorola's operations. By measuring process performance, they could pinpoint areas for
improvement and track the effectiveness of their TQM efforts.
● Continuous Improvement: Motorola fostered a culture of continuous improvement,
encouraging employees to constantly seek ways to enhance quality and efficiency.
Results of Motorola's TQM Implementation:
● Significant Quality Improvement: Motorola reported a dramatic reduction in defects across
their product lines. This led to increased customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
● Cost Savings: By eliminating errors and waste, Motorola achieved substantial cost savings.
This improved their profitability and competitive edge.
● Increased Innovation: The focus on process improvement fostered a culture of innovation at
Motorola. This led to the development of new products and technologies.
Impact and Legacy:
Motorola's success with TQM and Six Sigma inspired other companies worldwide to adopt
similar philosophies. The Six Sigma methodology has become a widely used tool for quality
improvement across various industries.
This case study demonstrates that TQM, when implemented with dedication and a focus on
data-driven decision making, can lead to significant improvements in quality, cost, and overall
business performance.
