Ways to implement TQM

TQM or Total Quality Management is a way to manage a company that originated in the 1950's and has steadily become more popular since the early 1980's. Total Quality Management is the description of the culture, attitude and organization of a company that aims to provide customers with products and services that satisfy those needs. There are essentially eight elements to Total quality management and each element needs to be done correctly in order for TQM to work the way it was meant to. The implementation of TQM is a long term process.

For TQM to work properly all key elements need to be implemented properly and adhered to. Managers and all employees need to embrace all of the elements and follow what the elements say. Outside consultants are best hired to help train all employees including managers on the correct ways to implement TQM. Embracing all key elements for TQM is the most important way for TQM implementation. If one of these key elements does not work properly then you can not properly implement TQM.

To start implementing TQM in your organization you will first want to assess where the organization is now. This is to help insure that TQM is an appropriate strategy for the organization. For an established organization you will want to look at what preconditions are associated with the organizations history, their current needs, and any key events leading to the need for TQM, and finally the current quality of working life for employees. You may also want to look at management teams to see if they will need some extra help before implementing TQM. If you have weakness in the managerial teams it will be very difficult for TQM to be implemented.The organization should itself be basically healthy before beginning TQM but in need of some change.

The next step in implementation of TQM would be to identify the tasks to be done. The readiness of the company should be assessed through field analysis. As said before the company needs to be fairly healthy with some need for change for TQM to be a success. Create a model of how to implement TQM and then announce the goals to the organization. The top management of the company should be responsible for the training and overseeing the changes required of TQM. The top management should also be heavily involved as leaders in the changes that are required for the successful implementation of TQM. Some of these changes include more communication, and trust in the company and the management.

Communication for the change must also be strong. There should be meetings attended by executives and other personnel to keep all employees aware of activities and accomplishments. Communication is one of the eight key elements for TQM. Communication is one of the building blocks of the whole TQM philosophy. The better your communication with all employees the better the TQM implementation can be.

Resources need to be managed. Outside consultants are almost always required with TQM implementation. These consultants should be chosen based on their relevant experiences and their commitment to helping implement the TQM process to fit the organization. However, employees and especially management should be actively involved in the implementation of TQM. Proper management of these resources will go a long way in the successful implementation of TQM.

To finish the implantation of TQM into an organization you will need to have all leaders maintain their commitment. Keep the TQM process visible and provide any necessary support. Maximize employee involvement in design of the system by using teams.Keep in mind that TQM should be purpose driven. Keep the organizations vision for the future focused. If TQM is implemented correctly it can be a powerful technique for unleashing employee creativity.