What are the key elements of Total Quality Management

TQM is the systematic analysis, but the focus is turning from a process driven by external controls through procedure compliance and enhancement to a process of habitual improvement where control is embedded within and is driven by the culture of the organization. The concept of quality control is quite old. In the recent years, Total Quality Management (TQM) has drawn the world wide attention and is being undertaken in different organizations both profit as well as non-profit. It is now being adopted as a management philosophy.


Total Quality management program provides the concept that ensures continuous improvement in an organization. The philosophy of TQM stresses on a systematic, integrated and consistent approach involving everyone and everything in an organization. Total quality management techniques have brought quality awareness and changes in the attitudes of the employees. Various efforts towards understanding, adopting and promoting TQM are due to the rapid changes taking place in the global economy, changing market conditions, customer’s expectations and mounting competitive pressures. Many big organizations have recognized the role of TQM in meeting these challenges. The evolution of the concepts and philosophy of TQM has taken many years of trials and tribulations in different organizations all over the world. It aims at using all people in multifunctional teams to bring about improvements from within the organization. Everyone associated with the organization is fully involved in continuous improvement


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. To be successful implementing TQM, an organization must concentrate on the eight key elements: Ethics, Integrity, Trust, Training, Teamwork, Leadership, Recognition, and Communication.


Some of the important elements of total quality management are: Management’s commitment to quality, Customer satisfaction, Preventing rather than detecting defects, Measurement of Quality, Continuous improvement, Corrective action for root cause, Training, Recognition of high quality, Involvement of Employees and Benchmarking.


As you build the EMS, be sure to regularly monitor your progress against the goals and project plan, and communicate this progress within the organization. Be sure to communicate the accomplishments that have been made and describe what happens next. Build on small successes. Be sure to keep top management informed and engaged, especially if additional resources might be required.





Based on the results of the preliminary review, prepare a project plan and budget. The plan should describe in detail what key actions are needed, who will be responsible, what resources are needed, and when the work will be completed. Keep the plan flexible, but set some stretch goals. Think about how you will maintain project focus and momentum over time. Look for potential "early successes" that can help to build momentum and reinforce the benefits of the EMS.