Understanding of Total Quality Management - Assignment Example

The paper "Understanding of Total Quality Management" is an outstanding example of a management assignment. Harrington, Voehl and Wiggin (2012, p. 352) defined TQM or Total Quality Management as, “The management approach of an organization cantered on quality, based on the participation of all of its members and aiming at long-term success through customer satisfaction and benefits to all members of the organization and to society”. It is evident from the definition that TQM is considered a management approach that needs the involvement of internal stakeholders in order to provide sustainable and comprehensive benefits to customers and society members.

Therefore, while defining characteristics of TQM, one has to consider optimal integration of all pertinent management functions and business processes so that the organization would be able to achieve continuous improvement and deliver superior services to customers. The evolution of TQM took place during the 1990s when the globalization of business was a key success mantra for companies. In such context, the aim of TQM was adjusted with agendas regarding improving customer satisfaction, decreasing waste in operation, decreasing process lead time, cost-effectiveness, minimizing the number of defects in the output etc.

As part of TQM, the war on waste” has been launched by companies in order to achieve the target of zero defects in the output. It is being believed by TQM practitioners that customers can be satisfied if offered products have zero or very low rate of defects. As part of TQM, a continuous improvement plan is being used which focuses on continuous minimization of defects and reduction of process cost by reducing waste in a continuous manner. TQM focuses on issues regarding process improvement was driven by customer satisfaction, collaborative involvement of customer and supplier, training, teamwork and meeting the requirement of stakeholders (Deming, 2000).

In summary, objectives of TQM can be stated as, 1- prevent defects in the process, 2- improve the process, 3- establishing cause-effect relationships, 4- prioritizing actions, 5- system capacity measurement, 6- formulating improvement plan, 7- helping and empowering teams to make decisions, 8- segregation trivial needs from significant needs and 9- observing and controlling team dynamics.