TQM – Zero Defect Achievement

Zero defect achievement – Striving towards perfection!

What is TQM:

Quality management is all about being proactive and concepts like total quality management and six sigma of recent origin reiterate the fact that hundred percent error free performance is possible the first time and every time. This is what is called as zero defect achievement which most of the companies at corporate level are headed for.

The intention is to strive for perfection in work, the way an archer aims for the bull’s eye on a target. It is time for people to cast off their conservative and archaic business practices and think out of the box to enjoy a sustainable competitive advantage driven by quality. Zero defects seek top performance standards the first time and every time.

Management scholars offer several suggestions to improve the zero defects programme:

• The idea of zero defects programme has to be communicated through out the organization right from the top to the bottom level including managers, supervisors and workers. This would harmonize the functions of line and staff.
• Prerequisites needed for the programme have to be determined and made available.
• The culture and climate of the firm should be conducive to accomplish the programme.
• Explain in simple terms about the functions to be accomplished.
• Design some solid system of recognition.
• Set up a time schedule as time lines are very important when it comes to product delivery.
• Spot all the bottlenecks and remove them.
• Training is absolutely essential– the skill set and mind set of the employees have to be attuned to the goals of the venture. Mock training and rehearsals are helpful.
• Standardization is the key to the success of this programme.

Bench Marking:

Total quality management is a process contributing towards quality and bench marking is a means to achieve high quality performance by setting some top notch industry performers as reference points or standards.

It is a continuous systematic process employed by a business enterprise to develop business and working processes that integrate the best practices available in the industry. Bench marking is a crucial element in the process of quality management.

Quality is one field of production, which reflects the ethical viewpoint and approach of business firms towards the society and other investors or stakeholders.

• Identify and define customer requirements
• Plan and establish effective goals and objectives
• Develop time measures of productivity
• Become more competitive
• Determine industry’s best practice

The initial step is to decide what is to be bench marked-the product, services, customers or business processes in various departments.

The second phase of action is to identify and select your competitors who will set the necessary precedence. With that as reference, decide on your company’s strategies by making meaningful and valid comparisons.

Judge the competitor strengths and weaknesses and compare them with that of your own to get a clear picture of your current performance levels and capabilities. This will give you a clear indication on the action plans to be developed and implemented in a phased manner by your organization.

Quality management is likely to happen only when all the employees of the organization work as a team with unified principles. Quality demands deep commitment and responsibility from the members of organizations. It calls for intense training to imprint the perception of quality in the minds of employees.