What is a primary benefit of the Six Sigma quality-management framework?

The primary benefit of the Six Sigma quality-management framework is lower costs. Six Sigma focuses on reducing defects and variations in processes, which leads to more efficient operations. By minimizing errors and improving quality, organizations can significantly decrease waste and rework costs. This financial savings is a direct result of implementing Six Sigma methodologies aimed at process improvement and a data-driven approach to problem-solving.

While increased employee satisfaction, improved marketing strategies, and expanded product lines can be secondary outcomes associated with a successful Six Sigma implementation, they are not the main focus of the framework itself. The core objective of Six Sigma is to enhance processes to ensure that products and services meet high-quality standards, which ultimately leads to cost reductions. Thus, the successful application of Six Sigma principles can have a profound impact on a company's bottom line, making lower costs a primary benefit of this quality-management framework.