How can you sustain and scale TQM initiatives in manufacturing operations?

2 Engage and empower employees

Another essential factor for sustaining and scaling TQM initiatives is to engage and empower your employees in the process of quality improvement. This means that you need to create a culture of quality that values teamwork, feedback, learning, and innovation. You also need to provide your employees with the necessary training, tools, and resources to identify and solve quality problems, as well as to recognize and reward their contributions. By engaging and empowering your employees, you can foster their ownership, motivation, and commitment to TQM.

3 Implement and standardize best practices

A third important factor for sustaining and scaling TQM initiatives is to implement and standardize best practices across your manufacturing operations. This means that you need to use proven methods and techniques to improve your processes, such as lean, six sigma, kaizen, or 5S. You also need to document and share your best practices with other departments, units, or locations, as well as to audit and review them regularly for continuous improvement. By implementing and standardizing best practices, you can ensure that your TQM initiatives are effective, efficient, and scalable.

4 Benchmark and learn from others

A fourth useful factor for sustaining and scaling TQM initiatives is to benchmark and learn from others in your industry or sector. This means that you need to research and compare your performance and practices with those of your competitors, customers, or partners, as well as to seek feedback and suggestions from them. You also need to participate in networks, forums, or associations that promote quality excellence, such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). By benchmarking and learning from others, you can gain insights, ideas, and inspiration for your TQM initiatives.

5 Adapt and innovate for changing needs

A fifth critical factor for sustaining and scaling TQM initiatives is to adapt and innovate for changing needs and challenges in your manufacturing environment. This means that you need to monitor and analyze the trends, opportunities, and threats that affect your market, customers, and operations, such as technological changes, customer preferences, or regulatory requirements. You also need to experiment and test new solutions, products, or processes that can enhance your quality, competitiveness, and sustainability. By adapting and innovating for changing needs, you can ensure that your TQM initiatives are flexible, responsive, and future-ready.