Executive Summary
There were seven forefathers that each contributed to the combined features of the total quality management (TQM) philosophy. TQM focuses on identifying root causes of quality problems and correcting them at the source. Not only does TQM includes the entire organization but it stresses that quality is customer driven (Reid, 2010). The quality assurance processes are within the TQM philosophy. Quality assurance (QA) refers to a program for the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project, service, or facility to ensure that standards of quality are being met (Wikipedia, 2010). I will give an example of a quality assurance program by creating a company that will use the quality assurance process.
The company I am going to create will be in the apparel industry and will start with one product, women's trench coat. I expect to manufacture and compete with recognizable companies such as Burberry, Armani and Ralph Loren. To do this quality has to be paramount in everything we do. I feel that quality assurance starts at the top and goes all the way to the receiving room clerk. Quality assurance should be companywide. I will organize the company with the following eight departments that will adhere to the quality assurance process:
* Owner, General Operations Director
* Marketing
* Finance
* Purchasing
* Human Resources
* Information Systems
* Sales
* Production
Quality Assurance Process
As the Owner and General Operations Director, it will be my job to ensure that the quality assurance process is taught and adhere to in each of the departments. I will do this by maintaining ongoing training sessions for each of the departments. There will be online QA training programs that will be required and tracked.
It is marketing's role to understand the needs and wants of customers by working closely with them. This requires solid identification of who the product is intended (Reid, 2010)....