In Total Quality Management, what is indicated if there is a problem?

In Total Quality Management (TQM), the focus is on continuous improvement and understanding the underlying processes that contribute to the final product or service. When a problem arises, it indicates that there is an issue in the process itself, rather than attributing it solely to the employees, the business strategy, or the quality standards.

Identifying a problem as a process issue aligns with TQM principles, which emphasize that the majority of quality problems are often a result of inadequate processes rather than individual worker performance. This perspective encourages organizations to systematically analyze and improve their processes to enhance quality, rather than merely blaming employees or assuming that higher standards are the cause of failures.

By recognizing that the problem stems from the process, teams can engage in root cause analysis and implement changes that foster a culture of continuous improvement and quality enhancement, thus better serving customer needs and achieving organizational goals.