Which quality improvement methodology focuses on waste reduction?

The focus on waste reduction is a defining characteristic of Lean methodology. Lean aims to enhance the efficiency of processes by identifying and eliminating non-value-added activities, often referred to as "waste." This can include any resource expenditure that does not add value to the final product or service from the customer's perspective. The main goal of Lean is to streamline operations, reduce cycle time, and improve overall productivity while maintaining or enhancing quality. By concentrating on waste reduction, organizations can achieve significant cost savings and improve customer satisfaction.

In contrast, while Six Sigma also seeks to improve quality, its primary focus is on reducing variation and defects in processes rather than specifically targeting waste. ISO 9001 is a quality management standard that emphasizes the importance of a quality management system but does not directly center on waste reduction. Lastly, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) is a continuous improvement cycle that can be applied to various methodologies, including Lean and Six Sigma, but it is not exclusively focused on waste reduction. Therefore, Lean is the most accurate answer regarding the focus on waste reduction.