Implementing total quality management at the US Department of Defense

Abstract

The US Department of Defense (DOD) needs to control the stifling of technology caused by the current acquisition policy. This is necessary to maintain a technological edge over its adversaries. Total quality management (TQM) was chosen as the management tool to help the USA curb defense spending. TQM will not only curb defense spending, but at the same time, expand technology, control costs and keep the USA competitive in the world marketplace. TQM is not only to be used for the DOD itself, but for defense contractors, their suppliers and vendors. TQM will then spread throughout the USA economy and create a nation able to provide better quality products and services. The DOD is in a survival mode and TQM is the only hope. This paper examines TQM as defined by Dr W. Edwards Deming including Deming's 14 points, explains how the DOD defines TQM and why TQM is necessary, and provides some history of the implementation of TQM in the DOD. It also covers how the DOD is planning on implementing TQM, some of the p...