What is TQM ?

  • Total organization using Quality thinking and methods to Manage.

  • Doing the right things right, the first time and every time.

TQM (Total Quality Management) refers to the Quality principles for the Management of its business processes.™ Quality principles and tools can improve both manufacturing and general business processes; the goal is to exceed customer expectations to achieve business strategy. In TQM, various Quality principles and tools are applied across the entire organization from the top management through the front line workers and supply chain, not just on the products and services that they sell.

How is TQM different from SPC?

Principles proven to improve manufacturing operations, such as quality circles and statistical process control, are applied across all business activities (marketing, finance, design, production, customer service, etc.) for the purpose of exceeding customer needs and expectations and achieving organizational objectives.

Why is TQM important for engineers?

The University of Michigan Conference on Leadership for Technical Education and Training identified needs in areas...that help engineers prepare for: managing projects, people, and resources in a global setting.... enhancing leadership and communications skills and understanding markets, product realization, and finance.... [source: Memo from Ed Borbely, UM College of Engineering CPD, 1/7/98]

What is unique about Glenn Mazur’s TQM Course?

Mazur’s TQM Course Pack is available for purchase. It is based on the TQM course that I taught at the University of Michigan College of Engineering, through 2003. See a sample lecture.

My TQM course considers both the hard (quantitative) and soft (qualitative) sides of product and process improvement and value creation. Numerical as well as verbal data analysis coupled with creativity and invention techniques enable students to efficiently and effectively solve problems, prevent recurrence, and create value.

The challenge in engineering and business today is not just how to design and build, but what to design and build. Resource constraints mean you can't do everything at once. So how do you determine what gets done first? The TQM tools taught in my course will show you how.

For example, at the University of Michigan, I had my students work with local organizations to optimize creative solutions for improving quality, lowering cost, improving schedule and timing, and bettering employee work life. This enabled the students to develop TQM application skills that will later help them excel in all activities at school, work, clubs, community, job selection, etc. See “How Glenn Mazur’s TQM course satisfies the Engineering 401 criteria”.

TQM Resources