Total Quality Management (TQM) Approach: How it Began & Why you Should Adopt it
What it means
Total quality management (TQM) is a term used to describe a management approach to quality improvement through the formulation and implementation of an organization's quality policy and procedure in view to a long-term customer satisfaction. TQM involves the participation of all members of the organization (from the top management to the shop floor workers) in improving processes, products, services and the culture in which they work.
How it began
Total Quality Management (TQM) was initially a term used to describe Japanese style of management strategy to quality management. Being a methodology for continuously improving the quality of all processes, it draws on knowledge of the principles and practices of behavioural sciences, analysis of quantitative and non-quantitative data, economics theories and process analysis.
Total Quality Management (TQM) could be said to have started in the early 1920s. During this period, statistical theory was first applied to product quality control. Some of the first seeds of quality management were planted as the principles of scientific management. The Hawthorne experiments in the late 1920s showed how workers’ productivity could be positively impacted by participation.
In 1930s, Walter Shewhart developed the methods for statistical analysis and quality control. In 1950s, W. Edwards Deming extensively taught techniques of statistical analysis and quality control to Japanese engineers and executives. Joseph M. Juran taught the concepts of controlling quality and managerial breakthrough. Armand V. Feigenbaum’s book Total Quality Control, a forerunner for the present understanding of TQM, was published.
In 1968, Kaoru Ishikawa’s synthesis of the philosophy contributed to Japan’s ascendancy as a quality leader. In the present day, TQM has become a worldwide philosophy comprising of a broad and systemic approach to managing organizational quality. Quality standards such as the series of ISO 9000 and quality award programs such as the Deming Prize and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award specify principles and processes that make up TQM.
Benefits of TQM
The benefits of Total Quality Management (TQM) include the following:
- Strengthened competitive position
- Adaptability to changing or emerging market conditions and to environmental and other government regulations
- Higher productivity
- Enhanced market image
- Defects and waste elimination
- Better cost management
- Higher profitability
- Improved customer focus and satisfaction
- Increased customer loyalty and retention
- Improved employee morale
- Enhanced shareholder and stakeholder value
- Improved and innovative processes
About the Author
Adebayo is a thought leader in continuous process improvement and manufacturing excellence. He is a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CSSMBB), Digital Manufacturing Professional and Management Systems Lead Auditor (ISO 9001, 45001 & ISO 22000) with strong experience leading various continuous improvement initiative in top manufacturing organizations.
You can reach him here.
