[Marco]

Total Quality Management aims at embedding the awareness for quality in all the organizational processes. It is used widely in manufacturing, call centers and service industries

Love to hear the members about examples of embedded TQM in their organizations.

Rgrds, Marco

[sparky]

In many companies that I was involved in, TQM was branded a total failure.

Investigation usually revealed unrealistic expectations, unrealistic time-scales and uninvolved management. Sound familiar?

I actually think TQM still has a very valid place at the table today.

[Haz]

Originally Posted by sparky

In many companies that I was involved in, TQM was branded a total failure.

Investigation usually revealed unrealistic expectations, unrealistic time-scales and uninvolved management. Sound familiar?

I actually think TQM still has a very valid place at the table today.

It's another one of them, "TQM will not fail us, we will fail TQM" in my humble opinion.

[Haz]

OK, Lets try and get this TQM section going. I was once asked on a training course, "when do you know when TQM is fully operational and a day to day activity in your organisation".

The answer was , "when you don't talk about it"

Thoughts?

[prabh]

Originally Posted by Haz

OK, Lets try and get this TQM section going. I was once asked on a training course, "when do you know when TQM is fully operational and a day to day activity in your organisation".

The answer was , "when you don't talk about it"

Thoughts?

true - you never discuss BAU (Business As Usual) situations

[Haz]

Originally Posted by prabh

true - you never discuss BAU (Business As Usual) situations

Thanks prabh for answering the question, anybody else care to join in

[chasswo]

Is 6 Sigma the replacement for TQM in the corporate management world?

Originally Posted by sparky

In many companies that I was involved in, TQM was branded a total failure.

Investigation usually revealed unrealistic expectations, unrealistic time-scales and uninvolved management. Sound familiar?

I actually think TQM still has a very valid place at the table today.

[Delphi]

Originally Posted by chasswo

Is 6 Sigma the replacement for TQM in the corporate management world?

I would say that it would depend on the organization and industry. Some organizations favor TQM over Six Sigma while still others use Lean, ISO, Kaizan, etc. It all depends on what the powers that be see as what can bring home the most for them.

I have also seen different process improvement plans come and as executive management changes hands. IMHO, it comes down to the taste of the person in charge.

As you research this information, you will find varying opinions on this very subject. What's important to remember though, is that Six Sigma, TQM, Lean, ISO, etc are only as useful and effective as the person wielding the tools. Just because, for instance, I have the cookbook, knives, pans, and ingredients doesn't necessarily mean I can pull off a 5 Star meal.

I know other members of our community will chime in their thoughts as well.

Happy Posting,

Delphi

[Lakota]

Originally Posted by chasswo

Is 6 Sigma the replacement for TQM in the corporate management world?

chasswo,

Six Sigma is the newest version, if comparing the two quality tools. Six Sigma incorporates many of the TQM tools -- as it does with Lean and other Quality processes.

Blessings,
Lakota

[sparky]

I actually think one of the most dangerous things we do is to pin a name on something.

I've overseen six sigma deployments under generic "let's get better" type banners. The deployment has been successful, whereas if we'd have used the title "six sigma" things would likely have failed. This is known, because when we ran the initial consultation/steering groups, certain named "initiatives" received a very heavy thumbs down due to their perceived reputations.

The name isn't important, the outcome is. (JMHO)