TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

THE PROS AND CONS OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Total Quality Management - the terminology itself suggests that in every organization conscious of Quality, they have to implement the quality in total, i.e. not in their production activities alone. Normally, any manufacturing company has its own concepts, methods and work plans to ensure quality. But the emphasis is made here that TQM warrants the implementation in every sphere of the organization and when implemented, brings about the spectacular change for the good.
First the concept of TQM should be made aware of - starting from the last grade employee to the top management - in clear and no uncertain terms, because an organization is made up of people - human beings with flesh and blood - with various levels of culture, education and mind-set. Unless every member of the organization gets involved in the implementation, nothing can be achieved. Every individual works for the organization.
Doing a work is something and doing it efficiently and effectively is a different thing. Basically the employee thinks - "I work - you pay - that’s all". The management thinks "I pay and so you have to work". Fine! But how to make the employee work with dedication towards achieving the goals set? Here comes the need for motivation. If a member of the organization is asked to implement TQM in his daily work - one has to be mentally ready for the answer/question. "Ok - done! What is in it for me?" It is quite natural. Unless the individual is personally benefited, they may not be interested in anything - right? Only with the wholehearted cooperation of each and every member of the organization any concept, work schedule, execution of plans etc. can be achieved.
For winning a race - the owner of the horse says "my horse will win" - the trainer says yes and the jockey says yes - but if the horse says "no"? What will happen is obvious. That is why the abundant benefits of adhering to TQM concept should be elaborately explained to everybody without exception.
The first and foremost benefit of implementing TQM concept in the organization goes to the employee only. How? TQM defines every activity of the organization in crystal clear terms. Therefore the working is made easy, fast and accurate, because there is no ambiguity either in understanding the methods of work, quantity or quality of work, the outcome expected of each of the team members. There will be no criss- cross instructions to get confused, entailing delay and everything is made ready and handy for the members to use in their daily work to get the job on hand done well. A job well done brings forth immense self satisfaction, immeasurable in any currency!
Secondly TQM elevates the value of the work done by the organization as a whole to a higher level. Increased production/productivity/activity levels with accurate quality standards would automatically enhance profitability and uplift the image of the organization by leaps and bounds. Once the organization goes up, so also its members who can share the fruit of success!
The organization can easily get accredited by ISO 9000 or QS 14000 standards once the TQM is adopted in proven ways in every activity of the organization - after all the so called accreditations only call for such a way of working of the organization - is it not? A long list of innumerable benefits accruing to the organization as a whole can be prepared by evolving and implementing TQM in any organization, but suffice it to say that TQM brings forth prosperity to every one and thus makes it a lucrative proposition. No doubt about it.