Running Head: Total Quality Management Definition Paper
Total Quality Management Definition Paper
Quality Management and Productivity MGT 449
Professor Marc Najem
University of Phoenix Online
January 12, 2009
Total Quality Management Definition Paper
According to www.isixsigma.com, “TQM is a management philosophy that seeks to integrate all organizational functions (marketing, finance, design, engineering, and production, customer service, etc.) to focus on meeting customer needs and organizational objectives. Total Quality Management is a management approach that originated in the 1950's and has steadily become more popular since the early 1980's. Total Quality is a description of the culture, attitude and organization of a company that strives to provide customers with products and services that satisfy their needs. The culture requires quality in all aspects of the company's operations, with processes being done right the first time and defects and waste eradicated from operations” (Hashmi).
For any organization, in order to survive competition in this fierce and dynamic business environment, it is necessary to constantly look out for opportunities to grow as well as reduce costs, which can be supported by Total Quality Management Process. It will not only help the company in creating products which meets the utmost standards in quality and provide ultimate customer satisfaction, which is the prima facie goal of TQM process, but also helps in improving company's bottom line profits by increasing operating efficiencies, eliminating wastages and creating a conducive environment for growth of the company. The employees get a healthy environment which maximizes their efficiencies and enable them to perform at their best levels. Therefore, the quality improvement process pushes the company from all angles in achieving its strategic goal and plans, in both the short term as well as the long term. The...