Total Quality Management (Archived)

The TQM Implementation Roadmap – TQM is described as a journey not a definition because the improvement process never ends. The TQM Implementation Roadmap includes 4 major phases. 

• Phase I, Exploration and Commitment Phase – The key in this phase is identifying the need and providing the training necessary for TQM implementation.
• Phase II: Planning and Preparation – The keys identified for this phase include selection of the deployment process, training implementation at various levels, and team selection and commissioning process.
• Phase III: Implementation – Phase III success factors include formation of a steering team, realignment in the award systems, chartering QI teams, continued training, Pilot teams, and rolling out the process based on pilot results.
• Phase IV: Sustaining – Key factors in this phase include conversion of QI results to standard procedures, continuation of planning, improvement process, management commitment, training, and active management oversight. 

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) – QFD is a method to develop design quality to satisfy customer expectations in the final product by creating alignment with the defined needs of the customer. Key information on implementation of QFD is provided in SD-97 Adaptation of Quality Function Deployment to Engineering and Construction Project Development. (SD-97, p2-1)

• The primary phases that the research team viewed QFD as being most appropriate for implementation include feasibility, conceptual development, and preliminary design. The business requirements phase was considered not to yield opportunities to apply QFD.

• An illustration of the application of QFD to the feasibility stage is provided in SD 97. Similar examples are provided for the conceptual and preliminary design phases. The final design phases offers discrete opportunities for QFD applications but were not illustrated in the document.  

Other key information on the QFD process, including the primary definitions of QFD can be found in SD-74.

SP31-1, Implementing Total Quality Management

The TQM Roadmap provides step-by-step guidelines for successfully implementing TQM in the E&C industry. These guidelines are based on the experiences of the interviewed firms and represent the most likely path to TQM success.