The Total Quality Management (TQM) scene is exciting. It is the most all-encompassing movement developed so far, towards effective and efficient control of the processes we have used to sustain and develop ourselves. In the past 20 years or so, the concept of TQM has flowed out of Japan right around the world.
The flow has not been smooth and seamless, not by a long chalk. Corporations and organizations in manufacturing and service have recognized and built from the work done (originally in Japan) since the second world war. This fact however, lies to the credit of individuals in both quality support organizations and in the companies that adopt their methodologies.
The well known quality awards, such as Japan’s Deming Prize, instituted in 1951 (named after W Edwards Deming, the American expert who triggered off the quality revolution), and the more recent US Malcolm Baldrige Award, which was formalized in 1986, are mainly publicized for and by the corporations that win them. An undeniable fact in our country is however, that no Indian organization as yet qualifies for such an objective recognition of excellence. Perhaps some do, for certain divisional activities, but not on an overall basis. In this connection, it may be pertinent to point out that the Deming and Baldrige awards are given to divisions as well. In the case of the Deming Prize, in fact, divisional awards form a category by themselves.
The Deming Prize has in all, five categories. One of these is the individual award, presented to the person whose contribution in theoretical research work and in the practical application of statistical methods is judged outstanding. Those who promote the increased use of statistical methods in industry are also eligible. An example of the kind of person who receives the Deming Prize is Dr Genichi Taguchi, who has won the award no less than four times.
In the US, the Edwards Medal is awarded to individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the application of modern quality control methods, especially through the organization and administration of such work. A Blanton Godfrey, the Chairman and CEO of the Juran Institute, was presented the medal this year in recognition of his ‘extensive contributions to quality management as represented by his able leadership in industry and his promotion of quality worldwide as CEO of a major quality organization’. The National Award of Technology is also presented annually, to individuals and companies for their contributions to improving the well being of the US, either through the development or commercialization of technology or for their contributions to be establishment of a technically trained workforce. Dr J M Juran, chairman emeritus of the Juran Institute received this award in June this year “for his lifetime work of providing the key principles and methods by which enterprises manage the quality of their products and processes, enhancing their ability to compete in the global marketplace”.
India has no meaningful National Quality Awards as yet and as pointed out above, it would be difficult to justify any corporation receiving an overall award at this time. If an award is based on the state-of-the-art Malcolm Baldrige criteria, the most proficient Indian companies will require at least five years to prepare for the same, working at top gear. Last year two blue chip companies based in Jamshedpur assessed themselves against the Malcolm Baldrige criteria. The scores they achieved were less than 300 on a total of 1,000. These companies had the wisdom to realize the magnitude of the journey ahead, to become world class players. American companies that strive for the Malcolm Baldrige Award, typically start at similar scores and invest five to seven years before applying for the same. Managing a National Quality Award would entail an infrastructure ten-fold more complex than that required for ISO 9000 certification. After all, it must be a competitive award which by its very nature would require more exacting inputs than simple certification.
However, it is necessary to draw the attention of the public to the fact that there are people who have contributed tremendously to the cause of Indian quality, establishing a recognition internationally for India as a serious and worthy participant in the technology marketplace. Three years back, we initiated the Qimpro Awards for special achievers on the Juran methodology. This year we broadened the scope of the Qimpro Awards establishing a Platinum Standard for individuals who may or may not be connected with the Juran methodology. We selected three broad criteria which underlined are commitment to the effect of focusing of quality. These are:
- contribution towards experts
- contribution to education
- contribution to research and development.
The first awardee of the Qimpro Platinum Standard, officially presented on 14 September 1992, was Mr D L Shah, the Chairman and Managing Director of Perfect Machine Tool Company Limited, Bombay. Mr Shah has been a tireless crusader for quality in India, and for the promotion of an indigenous design capability. For the past seven years, he has been exporting machine tools to Japan, considerably more difficult than coals to Newcastle. Mr Shah established the National Centre for Quality Management in 1986, which is devoted to spreading quality consciousness through industry.
CREDITS: Suresh Lulla, Founder & Mentor, Qimpro Consultants Pvt. Ltd.