| The TQM Fallacy |
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In recent years many management theories and ideas have circulated in the
popular literature. Companies have been affected by various consultants
and teachings. Some of these have had beneficial effects on organizations
while some have had very detrimental effects on them. |
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One of the concepts that has been taught widely is TQM or Total Quality
Management. Let me state from the outset that TQM
is not a standard.
There are many different manifestations of TQM and therefore it is impossible
to fully analyze it simply because it is not well-defined. |
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However, there are two very common teachings in the TQM Paradigm. One is
the continual improvement of processes and two is the empowerment of people. |
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Number one, the continual improvement of processes is fundamentally sound
so long as one takes into account the global effects, interconnectedness,
and prioritization requirements. In all too many situations companies have
gone about improving processes without considering these three critical
criteria. |
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One might be able, for example, to improve a process in accounting that
could end up having very negative effects in customer relations or in employee
relations thus having a globally detrimental effect. There are literally
an unlimited number of such examples. |
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Process improvement should always be tied into a long-term global analysis
of the results of that process improvement. Therefore, when one is improving
processes one should always take into account the first four QPI Principles. |
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Furthermore, when one improves a process one must take into account the
resource requirements and the alternative application of those resources
as well as the global effects they might have on the organization. Certainly
if one spends a million dollars to improve a process they may indeed get
process improvements. But, if that ends up costing the corporation an opportunity
to improve other processes which would yield much greater global benefits,
then it is a bad decision |
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In other words, process improvement is a good idea so long as it is embedded
in a total systems approach. |
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