Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management style that implies non-stop process of quality improvement of products, processes and personnel work. This is a bunch of methodologies that drive company to strategic goals achievement through unceasing quality development. It is focused on production of goods and services that possess high-quality from viewpoint of customers. TQM has shown phenomenal results and now it is used in many successful enterprises all across the world. It allows obtaining faster, fundamental and more efficient business development, because it stimulates production of much better products for better prices.
There are 5 mistakes that should be driven out of organization for successful implementation of TQM. If these are not eliminated, they can entail failure of TQM and gradually destroy a company.
- Management of only basic line. Organization that takes care only about basic line of development and manages only numeric results is doomed to failure. Management is a hard work and manager that works only with numbers lightens his/her task. Actually manager should know all process workflow and being involved into the process, understand what can be the source of problems and be an example for subordinates.
- Evaluating of activity with a help of quantitative rates system . Evaluating of activity with a help of quantitative rates system. Evaluating that uses system of quantitative rates, reports, annual reviews of attainments, etc. can cause forced quotes, classification and ratings that entail unhealthy competition, break of team collaboration within company. Instead of such systems managers should personally comment employees' work, advice and help to improve it.
- Stress on receiving of short-term benefits. If employees have experience of getting fast profits they will try to work in the same way. Management should convince workers that it is better to prefer long-term and stable growth and improvement than quick, short-term profits.
- Lack of strategy. If there is no any sequence of realizing goals in a company, employees will feel uncertainty about possibility of constant professional and carrier growth. Organization should have continuously realizing strategic plan where considerable part should be devoted to questions of quality improvement.
- Staff turnover. If high staff turnover within organization is apparent, this indicates serious problems. Eliminating of previous four sicknesses will help to solve this one. Management should assume the proper arrangement to make employee feel as an important part of one consolidated team.
Advantages of TQM:
TQM gives some short-term advantages, however majority of advantages is long-termed, and tangible benefits from them appear only after successful realization. In big organizations this process can take few years. Long-term benefits expected from implementation of TQM - higher productivity, higher moral of personnel, decreasing of costs and increasing of consumers' trust.
This will make company popular and increase its status within society. Avoidance of mistakes allows company to save money and time. Extra resources can be used for range of products and services expansion or for other improvements. TQM creates atmosphere of enthusiasm and satisfaction with performed job and welcomes awarding bonuses for creative approach to professional duties.
TQM intensively uses team style of work that allows employees share their experience, use their skills effectively and apply joint efforts for solving issues. As far as team members gain experience of team problem solving they can be a part of cross-department "mega teams" that work at tasks that are beyond of local group possibilities. TQM gives to organization more flexibility in work and problem solving and improve work environment for each employee.
