TQM
A Massive Training Program for Us
We are not talking about training in technology. Indian designers, process engineers, production supervisors, workers etc; are quite as well trained as any one else in science, technology, machines, tools, methods, etc.
What we are talking about is training in the ‘quality sciences’ or ‘quality disciplines’ – a body of quality-oriented concepts, methods, tools, techniques and skills through which we manage the quality function. We can best understand the nature of the quality sciences by looking sideways at the finance function.
The financial analogy:
All companies, no matter what is their product, exhibit wide commonalities with respect to finance. They receive income from multiple sources and they spend money for multiple purposes. They face sever consequences if they fail to keep income and outgo in proper balance, both short run and long run. The companies can help to avoid these consequences by making use of the tools of financial management. These tools have been evolved over the centuries and consist of such things as budgets, return on investment evaluation, profit statements, balance sheets, sales analysis, expenses and cost reports, and financial audits. Through such tools, trained managers can plan the financial direction of the company, review actual performance and make decisions accordingly.
Within the quality function there is a corresponding array of tools for managers, and a corresponding infrastructure, as well as an associated body of specialists. The striking difference between the worlds of finance and quality is in the extent to which the managers are trained in use of the respective available tools.
Managing Finance:
Finance planning
Budget
Fund flow
Finance Control
Return on investment evaluation
Balance sheet/Sales Analysis
Cost Control/Expenses Control
Finance Improvement
Cost Reduction
Profit Improvement
Managing Quality:
Quality Planning
-Determine who the customers are
-Determine customer needs
-Develop product features to respond customer needs
-Develop processes able to produce the product features
-Transfer plans to operating forces
Quality Control
Evaluation of actual product performance
Compare actual performance to product goals
Act on differences
Quality Improvement
Establish infrastructure
Identify the improvement
Project
Establish project teams
Provide the team with resources, training & motivation
-diagnose causes
-stimulate remedies
-establish controls to hold the gains
