TQM consultants recognize that the responsibility for quality rests equally on the shoulders of everyone in an organization. TQM consultants guide the organization to deliver results that are exactly in tune with customer requirements.
TQM implementation should not, however, put the organization in competition with overall costs and return of investments. Since the most important task for any business is to retain current customers and acquire new ones, TQM consultants should lead the organization to capital gains.
TQM consultants must also guide top management in communicating the organization's vision to its employees and its diverse clientele. They will also guide management in achieving the right synchronization between business processes and help create a culture of continual improvement.
TQM consultants typically implement quality programs that consist of the following:
- Identifying and confirming customer requirements.
- Meeting requirements using tools such as "process modeling" and "error prevention."
- Measuring and calculating the price of deviation from established quality norms.
- Demonstrating that adhering to quality is beneficial for the organization and employees.
- Analyzing problems that hinder quality.
- Finding solutions to improve and implement quality.
- Controlling work processes to implement total quality management.
- Maintaining a policy of continuous improvement.
- Meeting benchmarks of quality.
Currently, there is a resurgence of TQM with increasing awareness about Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing. TQM consultants use statistical quality control, quality tests, systems analysis, and other tools to improve quality and to reduce instances of customer dissatisfaction. Consulting firms, as well as organizations, prefer candidates with relevant backgrounds and experiences in the industry in which they function.
A career in TQM can be extremely satisfying, provided you understand the organization's concern for quality and share its excitement and passion for quality and bringing about desired change. With the right resources and knowledge, TQM consulting can be the best career decision you'll ever make.
