Reader questions and feedback on ISO 9000 to succeed in business. Also refer to excellence, quality, TQM, standards, international, success, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on ISO 9000:
TQM Comparison
The following 7 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Why there is no definition of TQM in ISO 9001:2000?
- Pros and cons of compliance
- Define soft skills
- Resaerch on the commonalities of ISO and TQM
- Is an ISO certified company a TQM company
- Role of ISO 9000 in TQM
- Wants to learn about company using TQM
Why there is no definition of TQM in ISO 9001:2000?
Question
June 11, 2006
I would like to know why there is no definition of TQM, in ISO 9001:2000. Is this because the two are not so related and have evolved into two different disciplines?
Thank you
Matthew - Malta
11309
Answer
It is unusual and unfortunate that ISO 9000:2000 does not recognize TQM. When ISO 9000 was updated to the 2000 version, they added a number of TQM concepts.
My guess is the ISO organization wants to keep things within their control instead of recognizing various other disciplines that have similar aims. It is somewhat like politics or protecting your own turf. It is also short-sighted.
Pros and cons of compliance
Question
May 31, 2006
I would like to know the prosand cons of quality compliance and non compliance to a business
Thanks
Fana - RSA
11241
Answer
Compliance to ISO 9000 means your company runs smoothly. Implementing TQM helps improve profits. Certification in ISO 9000 is official acknowledgment that your company is in compliance.
Define soft skills
Question
June 17, 2005
what does it mean that TQM has problems in Soft areas?the term soft is not clear to me when i read several articles please explain?
Sophia - Pakistan
7292
Answer
I should have explained it better in the article.
Hard skills concern things that are done in the workplace. Soft skills concern the ability to deal with other people, as well as personal performance.
For example, workers may have good hard skills in making a product, but if the boss does not communicate well with them (soft skill), work is not done well.
Resaerch on the commonalities of ISO and TQM
Question
March 11, 2001
My name is Vin Leong Chiew. I am a postgraduate student from the University of New South Wales (Australia). I would like to request some information regarding the similarities of Kaizen philosophy and ISO 9000 to Total Quality Management. From my information Kaizen has been a long history to successful TQM while ISO 9000 is commonly considered as a stepping stone to TQM.
Part of my research interests is to find out the commonalties and differences between the two approaches. Besides, I am also interested to find out how exactly or in what ways both can be integrated.
I would greatly appreciate if you can send me some of this type of information if there is any available or perhaps your precious opinions on these issues.
Thank You. Yours faithfully,
Vin Leong - USA
5249
Answer
ISO 9000 is a set of standards or rules for a company to follow in order for them to better organize their business. It is mainly concerned with keeping good documentation of what a company does. It should actually be used before implementing TQM.
Total Quality Management covers a number of management practices, philosophies and methods to improve the way a company does business, makes its products, and deals with its employees and customers. Kaizen is one of those philosophies. The importance of customer satisfaction and the use of statistics to control processes are other concepts included in TQM.
Much of implementing this material has to do with the leadership and upper management of a company. The head of the company must decide that he wants to improve.
Then he should make sure the company is well organized by following the ISO 9000 standard. (I personally believe that can be done without officially being certified in ISO 9000).
The next step would be to start a TQM program. Probably the first part of TQM is striving to make quality goods to satisfy the customer. Then philosophies such as Kaizen, Taguchi methods, design of experiments and such can be followed.
Hopefully, this information is helpful to you. Keep me informed as to the results and applications of your studies.
Is an ISO certified company a TQM company
Question
October 15, 2004
Dear sir,
Can we call an iso certified company as tqm?
ramaswamy - india
4673
Answer
If you are working at continuous quality improvement, customer satisfaction, heling suppliers and workers improve their quality, and some other TQM methods, you could call yourself a TQM company. Since there is no TQM certification, anyone could call themselves a TQM company, but customers and clients may ask what programs you have in place to improve your quality and reduce errors.
Being ISO 9000 certified means you are implemeting many TQM items. But it is possible that an ISO 9000 company can produce low quality goods, if that is what they document.
A more popular phrase now is a "Six Sigma company" that means the company has only a few errors per million units.
Role of ISO 9000 in TQM
Question
June 7, 2004
HI.. i would like to know more about the role of ISO 9000
within a Total Quality Management Programe.
i would be great if you could send me the information
regarding to this topic. thank you very much.
DAVID - MALAYSIA
3477
Answer
Typcially, they are separated, but they really should be combined. ISO 9000 lays the groundwork for running a company in a consistent manner. It does address some continuous improvement issues.
Then Total Quality Management looks at ways to reduce waste and improve customer satisfaction. It works the best when ISO 9000 is implemented first.
If you are starting a TQM programme, it would be good to start with ISO 9000 and then start to use the other tools.
Wants to learn about company using TQM
Question
February 16, 2004
ORGANISATION BEHAVIOUR
Question
Select any organizaton of you choice and report on the TQM practice of those organization .Examine the process and techniques used by these organization to implement TQM.
I hope you can help answer this question or ewplain what exactly the question want. I hope from your reply as soon as possible.
Isarina -
2405
Answer
Many companies use such practices as continuous improvement, kaizan, variability reduction, and others. Some no longer call it TQM, but Six Sigma.
The best route to take is to contact a local large or mid-sized manufacturing company and try to talk to a quality engineer or quality control manager. You can then find out what TQM practices they are following. The quality department in the company should be able to give you the information you need.
Best wishes in your study.
Summary
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