Total Quality Management in Schools
Student: Dr. Freda Doster
This course required an evaluation of Total Quality Management Programs as they related to my current work setting. The following is an excerpt taken from an assignment required as a part of the course expectations.
When contemplating the possible implementation of Total Quality Management one must first evaluate the current structures and procedures of the organization in order to determine where the organization currently stands and where it needs to stand in the future if it is to meet the goal of customer satisfaction. In order to both attain and maintain quality, the system must be evaluated for both positives and negatives as they currently exist.
In reflecting upon my current work setting, it is evident that there are some structures in place which fall within Carr and Lithman�s (1990) �As-Is� category (see Figure 1). Unfortunately, these components can be seen as negatives as they limit the organization�s ability to work towards continuous improvement; that being student achievement. Those structures which currently limit progress seem to be related to issues of management style, employee organization, focus and image.
A further analysis of the organization did reveal procedures currently in place which fall within Carr and Lithman�s (1990) �To-Be� category (see Figure 1). These procedures reflect the vision, planning and decision-making policies of the organization. These procedures can be viewed as positives as they provide a solid foundation on which to build and implement change. These procedures and structures should be viewed not as ultimate ideals but rather as starting points from which the organization can move toward continuous improvement.
Reference:
�As-Is� and �To-Be�: David Carr and Ian Lithman Excellence in Government (Coopers and Lybrand, 1990), taken from Total Quality Management by L. David Weller.