Leadership: The Key to Successful Implementation of Total Quality Management

Abstract : The Government and the Department of Defense are continually being attacked for a lack of efficiency. Since 1987 the DoD has been actively pursuing the implementation of the initiative called Total Quality Management as the philosophy and guiding principles to improve organizational efficiency. There has been no lack in published goals and implementation plans. However, management at every level seems to flounder, unable to get their arms around where and how to start. This paper presents the critical elements, their interrelationships, and how they can be used to achieve the cultural change necessary for successful implementation of Total Quality Management.