Limitations of Total Quality Management

TQM Limitations
Robert Korsloot, Member
As far as I am concerned, no limitations.
The main issue I believe are people who cannot handle the absence of limitations. Most problems during implementing or operating TQM, have to do with the definition and approach of the aspect "total".
To successfully implement TQM, you need to define a stepwise and well defined change process. There is no such thing as a 'big bang'. Not functionally nor operationally.
The essence of TQM is dealing with manageable and predictable outcomes. And this already starts during the preparation of your introduction of TQM. If you are able to establish that principle throughout your implementation and operating processes, there are no limitations to TQM.
Where, in specific situations, TQM doesn't bring the optimal solutions, there is not any objection to using related techniques under the umbrella of TQM. Techniques like JIT, Ishikawa or quantitative methods can easily support your TQM environment. The method is not limited. People are.

Limitations of Total Quality Management
bran
@Robert Korsloot: Well said Robert, Deming applied TQM in post war Japan, i.e. from scratch. Interestingly, Germany built what is today the most powerful manufacturing economy also in the same post war period, i.e. from scratch.
The question now is whether TQM is applicable once things go south like in today's North American Economy? I think it is NOT. Yes, many simulations of TQM may be sold to naive shareholders, but not real TQM.
For example, principle #8 which in my view is the most important principle of all 14, is impossible to achieve without complete change of the system. In other words, WWII helped Japan and Germany to become what they are today, the strongest manufacturing economies of the world.