Which concept emphasizes defect prevention over defect detection?

The concept that emphasizes defect prevention over defect detection is Total Quality Management (TQM). TQM is a holistic approach to improving the quality of products and services through the involvement of all members of an organization. It focuses on continuous improvement and aims to build processes that prevent defects from occurring in the first place rather than just identifying and correcting them after they happen.

In TQM, the emphasis is placed on processes, customer satisfaction, and the overall culture of quality within the organization. This proactive focus helps organizations reduce waste and improve efficiency by addressing potential issues before they lead to defects. By engaging employees at all levels and fostering a quality-oriented mindset, TQM instills practices that prevent defects as an integral part of daily operations and decision-making.

Although Lean Manufacturing also aims to eliminate waste and improve processes, its primary focus is efficiency rather than a specific emphasis on preventing defects. Six Sigma, while also a powerful method for quality improvement, concentrates on reducing variation and improving process quality rather than exclusively on defect prevention. Quality Assurance (QA) generally involves ensuring that quality standards are met, typically focusing on the detection and correction of defects within existing processes. Thus, TQM stands out as the concept centered specifically on preventing defects.