According to total quality management, what effect does undesirable variation in input or processing have?

Undesirable variation in input or processing has a significant negative impact on output, which is a core principle in total quality management (TQM). In TQM, consistency and standardization are emphasized to ensure that products and services meet predefined quality standards. When there is undesirable variation, it disrupts this consistency, leading to variations in the final product or service that do not meet customer expectations. This can result in defects, increased rework, or even product recalls, all of which adversely affect the overall quality and reliability of the output. Therefore, managing and minimizing undesirable variation is critical to achieving high-quality outcomes and ensuring customer satisfaction.