Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is a methodology used to optimize equipment effectiveness and reduce breakdowns and losses through employee involvement and empowerment. TPM was introduced in Japan in the 1970s to help companies reduce costs, improve productivity and quality, and avoid waste. It involves all employees through techniques like autonomous maintenance and focuses on eliminating the eight major types of losses that inhibit productivity. TPM shares similarities with Total Quality Management in its emphasis on employee participation, documentation, and management commitment to drive continuous improvement.