Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Is anyone here familiar with Total Quality Management? Have you ever used any TQM techniques in your business?

I took a Total Quality Management class once, and I must say it was one of the most interesting subjects I`ve studied in college.  However I never seen it actually implemented anywhere, except for a botched attempt at Six-Sigma at Ford Motor Co.

Does TQM have any real-world value?

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Oleg Issers | StartupNation.com Web Team

50% of computer programming is trial and error. The other 50% is copy and paste.

I`m not sure, but I think the 6-Sigma process is one of the methods that stands out in quality management? It`s a little militaristic for my taste, but it`s trying to quantify the whole quality management process.

6-Sigma is probably the most well known TQM method, but there are many others.  The technique that stood out the most for me was a decision-making algorithm that allows you to make the best choice when faced with a multitude of options.  Unfortunately I lost my TQM handbook a long time ago, so I can`t even tell you what this method is called... but the algorithm is forever burned into my brain  

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Oleg Issers | StartupNation.com Web Team

50% of computer programming is trial and error. The other 50% is copy and paste.

I almost have to wonder ... like ... we have "programs" to do a good job?

Just do a good job. Take pride. Is this rocket science or am I missing something?

Nikole,

TQM is certainly no rocket science.  In fact it`s not a science at all - it is a methodology that`s most often used in manufacturing, but can be applied to any other aspect of life as well.

"Am I doing a good job" is a qualitative question, and you don`t need a "program" to answer it for you.  The purpose of TQM is to quantify what "doing a good job" means for you and how you can improve on it.  After all, no matter how good of a job you`re doing, there is always room for improvement - right?

The core algorithm of TQM can be defined as following:

1. Break down a business process into a series of simple, repeatable steps.
2. Identify the step that is the weakest link in your process.
3. Improve it until it is no longer the weakest link.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3, ad infinitum...

Of course for this to work, you must have a business process to begin with.  I understand that for a lot of startups, the process may consist of only one step - namely "fly by the seat of your pants".  If this is the case, TQM really can`t help you unless you are willing to define a process first.

I understand this may not be for everybody...  I guess for a math/logic geek like myself, anything can be broken down into neat little pieces, quantified measured labeled and placed in a small box with other like items.  Anything you do in life can be described as an algorithm.  I once worked at a small company where the staff would have long daily arguments about what to have for lunch.  It would take almost as long to pick a place as it did to actually go there and eat - so we came up with an algorithm to make the process easier. 

Here is an example: you have to choose one out of 4 or 5 different vendors, each with a long list of pros and cons.  How do you go about making such a decision? What TQM does is provide a handly little algorithm to quantify the pros and cons, and guide the decision making process.

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Oleg Issers | StartupNation.com Web Team

50% of computer programming is trial and error. The other 50% is copy and paste.

This is so why I work for myself ... that kind of stuff seems straight out of Office Space!

Have you done your TPS reports today?

Just did a quick search and to my disbelif found out that my college instructor`s old website is still up!  

http://www.qfdi.org/what_is_qfd/what_is_qfd.htm

QFD, like 6-Sigma is another component of TQM - this is the decision-making technique that I mentioned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QFD

I know it sounds like gibberish at first, my initial reaction to it was "what a load!" but eventually I realised how helpful some of these techniques really are.  Maybe it takes more of an engeneering mindset rather than an enterpreneurial one to really appreciate this stuff.  

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Oleg Issers | StartupNation.com Web Team

50% of computer programming is trial and error. The other 50% is copy and paste.

Y`know, I`ve been thinking about this topic today, driving around. One approach is to get caught up in defining and analyzing quality. But at the same time, I`m reading a book Eric (community member) gave me, about Truth.

In that book, the question isn`t whether or not we can define truth. We`ll assume people know when they`re telling the truth or lying. Instead, it`s an essay about whether or not Truth is useful.

I did a topical essay about whether or not Ideals are useful, and I think we can ask the same question here: Is quality useful?

It`s not that people can`t understand when something is high or low quality, generally speaking. Although, many people without experience in a high quality item wouldn`t know if what they have is low quality.

Instead, it`s about whether or not Quality and TQM has a value. Lots of companies pay lip-service to wanting "customer service" or "high quality production," but do they want to put their money where their mouth is? Not so much, I think. Would you agree?

If so, what IS the value of quality? How come it matters---if it does?

I think quality matters.  If nothing else, it builds brand loyalty - and I am all about brand loyalty, but maybe that`s a separate topic?

In my opinion, Toyota Motor Co. is a great example of a functional TQM implementation; and it is reflected in the quality of their product and their bottom line.

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Oleg Issers | StartupNation.com Web Team

50% of computer programming is trial and error. The other 50% is copy and paste.

Hi, Oleg!

The phrase "Total Quality Management" is a catch-all term that refers to the  practice of  improving products and processes through the use of various performance-quantifying tools such as Statistical Process Control, the 6-Sigma philosophy, and the guidelines issued by standardization organizations such as ISO
(International Organization for Standardization).

The TQM of today movement is the evolution of  Japanese Management Principles.  Oddly enough, the father of the JMP was an American, Dr. W. Edward Deming.  His 14 Principles revolutionized the Japanese economy in the time of Emperor Hirohito and turned it into the powerhouse it is today.  For more on Dr. Deming and his 14 Principles, go to http://www.lii.net/deming.html.

I`m with you; the subject is fascinating.  It encompasses a very wide range of philosophies, methodologies, and possible applications.  Due to that fact, the astute businessman who is interested enough to put together his own TQM program can reap a multitude of benefits--not the least of which are:
1. trackable cost savings through an variety of avenues (i.e. streamlined  workflow processes; a decrease in incidental losses due to off-spec raw materials and/or production; the protection of capital assets through more effective monitoring, diagnostics and maintenance; improved labor performance resultant from improved efficiency and safety practices, etc.),
2. standardized training programs resulting in the consistent training of labor force,
3. increased production capability through increased efficiency and decreased losses,
4. possible increase in sales as the result of increased production output and improvement in the quality of the manufactured products

What I think is so cool about TQM is that, when applied with a little common sense, each improvement just dovetails into and facilitates the next.  One of the coolest jobs I ever had was preparing a plastics plant for ISO certification--the owner was amazed at the range of benefits the program generated.  It was one of the very few times in my life that I actually felt respected and appreciated!


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"Ask not, know not." --Me