The Total Quality Management (TQM) is a model that emphasizes continuous improvement, customer focus, and employee involvement to achieve organizational excellence. This approach was eveloped by Walter Shewhart in the 1950s but gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s. The first key principle of TQM is customer focus. The model places a strong emphasis on understanding and meeting customer needs and expectations. The customer needs and expectations are met by gathering feedback, conducting market research, and meeting the quality standards. The other key principle is continous imporvement. The TQM model advocates for a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization. This is done by regularly reviewing processes, identifying areas of improvement, and implementing changes to enhance the quality.
The next key principle of the TQM model is employee involvement. The TQM model recognizes the importance of involving employees at all levels in the improvement process. The model empowers employees to contribute ideas, participate in decision-making, and own quality improvement initiatives. The other key principle is focus on the process rather than individual tasks or departments. The model encourages organizations to eliminate waste and optimize processess to improve overall quality and efficiency. Furthermore, the Total Quality Management approach focuses on data-driven decision making. Organizations using the TQM approach collect and analyze data to monitor performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions about quality improvement initiatives.
Moreover, the TQM recognizes the importance of strong relationships with suppliers. Therefore, the model encourages organizations to work closely with suppliers to ensure that they meet quality standards and meet the unique needs of the organization. Furthermore, the Total Quality Management approach encourages leadership commitment. It requires strong leadership commitment and support. Leaders set the tone for quality improvement efforts, provide resources and support, and actively participate in the improvement process. APA