Total Quality - A National Imperative

This paper begins with the background that the right way to manage through total quality is creating a global revolution led by Japan.We in India are lagging far behind. Our macroeconomic systems and processes have been deficient in quality. This is the main reason that the outcomes have been unsatisfactory. However there is a growing awareness of these shortcomings and the change process is already underway.

The paper then clarifies the essence of six basic terms such as product, customer, quality, process, work and waste. This is done to explain the total quality perspective and the dynamics of TQM. A brief step by step strategic overview of the TQM implementation process is then presented. The paper closes with the belief that the journey on the TQM road is a culture-change process. It has to be led top down. It calls for a broad - based awareness and profound knowledge. Given the necessary leadership and drive as well as the correct implementation strategies, "Made in India" a label all of us.