What is Total Quality Management (TQM)?
Total Quality Management is a management philosophy with roots back in the 1950s. Total Quality Management represents the continual process of identifying and eliminating manufacturing defects in order to provide customers with high quality products and services. TQM is not just another model; it is a cultural value within an organization. This culture focuses on quality in all operational processes as well as the minimization of errors and waste. Some of the business giants that have implemented TQM successfully are Ford Motor Company, Motorola, Toyota Motor Company and Phillips Semiconductor.
Total Quality Management Principles
1. Focus on customer
One of the main characteristics of TQM is it customer-focused culture which places increasing emphasis on the quality delivered to the customer. This factors encompasses emerges from the whole business, ranging from the production line to the after-sales service.
2. Employee involvement
Another important factor of TQM is the active participation of employees within the business mission and vision. TQM embraces the involvement of all workforce and empowers workers through high-performance work systems, self-managed work teams and proper workplace environment.
3. Process-centered
Moreover, TQM is focused on the process, from the time it is initiated from the supply of raw material to the time that the finished good is delivered to the customer. TQM ensures that the steps along this process are well-defined and aligned to the company’s vision and mission.
4. Integrated system
TQM focuses on the integration of an organization system that connects business improvement elements in order to achieve excellence within operations. An integrated business system must incorporate ISO 9000 standards.
5. Strategic and systematic approach
TQM employs strategic planning and management as a key factor to embrace the quality development and the management of integration.
6. Decision-making based on facts
A large aspect of Total Quality Management is principled on decision making based on statistical evidence and data measures. This ensures the accuracy and objectiveness of decisions taken.
7. Communication
Effective communications play a vital role in the successful implementation of TQM. If the team is cooperating and collaborating, then day-to-day operations become much easier and productivity increases.. This in turn, leads to boosts employee morale and enhances employee satisfaction.
8. Continuous improvement
Finally, one of the most important principles of TQM lies behind the notion of continuous improvement. Without being consistent in improving, adapting and changing, an organization will remain stagnant and eventually lose competitiveness. On the other hand, if a company is principled on the conception of continuous improvement will achieve higher quality standards, increased consumer satisfaction and more satisfied workers in the long-term. If that isn’t the key to success, then what is?
Understanding TQM
Total Quality Management is better understood in practice. Only when one sees actual results and benefits from the implementation of TQM will understand its real value. By implementing TQM you are implementing a whole new culture which as one might expect requires significant organizational change. As competition within the marketplace increases and customer standards are rising higher, TQM is becoming a vital concept for the companies that seek to differentiate themselves within the crowded business environment and excel customer’s expectations.