“Sometimes when you innovate you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations.”—Steve Jobs
Total Quality Management System
Tqm stands for total quality management. The definition of total quality management system is a management approach to long term success through customer satisfaction. TQM can be summarized as in management system for the customer focused organization that involves all employees in a continual improvement.
The principles of total quality management are customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, system approach to management, continual improvement, factual approach to decision making and mutual benefit supplier relationship. Let’s dig in about all the principles of TQM in detail.

Principles of Total Quality Management
1. Customer Focus
Out of the eight principle the first one is customer focus. It stresses that an organization should understand its customers need , what they want and when they want it and at the same time, trying to meet and exceed their expectations.
If your product fulfills a need and stands on the expectations of the customers , when you understand what your customer wants or needs, then you have a better scope of figuring out how to get the right materials for your product , the best process and right people involved. Then you will be able to exceed their expectations.
2. Leadership
The next principle of TQM is leadership good leaders help to unite an organization and give people a sense of direction. They create the environment where everyone views are given careful consideration. Therefore, without clear leadership an organization will lose its direction .
This principle tell us that leaders are important in setting the goals and ensuring that all their employees are actively involved in achieving these objectives.
Leader’s Tip
Foster a culture of quality by empowering employees, fostering innovation, and fostering a customer-centric mindset across the organization.
3. People Involvement
People are the essence of any organization research has shown that when the people understand the importance of their contribution and role in their organization, they become innovative and eager to participate . This principle helps the management to communicate from to its employees.
4. Process Approach
This principle stresses on efficiency, effectiveness, consistency and understanding. Results in speeding up activities, improving consistency, eliminating ways and reducing costs, and promoting continuous improvements helps . It involves quality control compare with standards and take corrective actions. If there is a deviation.
5. System Approach to Management
This principle involves identifying, understanding and managing interrelated processes as a system contributes to the organization, effectiveness and efficiency in achieving its target.
6. Continuous Improvement
This principle should be permanent objective of any organization. This principle states that continual change should be an active business objective. By doing so, organizational flexibility increase, ability to embrace new opportunities and improve performance are achieved.
7. Factual Approach to Decision Making
This principle involves effective decisions and action based on available data. Decisions based on facts improve understanding of the product. So implementing this principle will allow decision to be made with more clarity and objectivity
Leader’s Tip
Implement effective communication channels, encourage feedback, and provide training and development resources to support TQM initiatives.
8. Mutual Beneficial Supplier Relationship
This principal. Identifies the independence of organization from their suppliers. It ensures a mutually beneficial relationship between the two, which will enhance the productivity and encourage working values.
👉 Hand picked for you – Importance of Quality Transformation in VUCA world
Importance and Benefits of Total quality management
TQM principles foster mutual respect and teamwork on their employees. This is true because TQM principles stimulate a single organizational culture of excellence and ensure that employees uphold the same principles of work.
Also, the application of TQM principles helps organization to put strategic approach in place to ensure the quality of product and services. This also means making sure the suppliers offer quality products.
It is important that organization build quality in to the processes involved in producing goods and services and measures for continual improvement taken to ensure these processes work all the time, it is important that organization empower their employees, which continues training to develop their skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the importance and benefits of total quality management ?
TQM principles foster mutual respect and teamwork on their employees. This is true because TQM principles stimulate a single organizational culture of excellence and ensure that employees uphold the same principles of work. Also, the application of TQM principles helps organization to put strategic approach in place to ensure the quality of product and services.
What are the principles of total quality management ?
Customer Focus, Leadership, People Involvement, Process Approach, System Approach to Management, Continuous Improvement, Factual Approach to Decision Making, Mutual Beneficial Supplier Relationship
What do you mean by total quality management?
The definition of total quality management system is a management approach to long term success through customer satisfaction. TQM can be summarized as in management system for the customer focused organization that involves all employees in a continual improvement.
What is the purpose of total quality management ?
The application of total quality management TQM principles helps organization to put strategic approach in place to ensure the quality of product and services. This also means making sure the suppliers offer quality products.
Key Takeaways
- TQM emphasizes the importance of customer satisfaction, process improvement and employee engagement to an organization’s success.
- Key principles of TQM include a focus on quality at every stage, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
- TQM requires leadership commitment, a collaborative culture, and the integration of quality practices into all aspects of the organization to achieve sustained excellence.