Content selection for a course in total quality management

Abstract

Describes the selection of the content for a graduate engineering course in total quality management (TQM). Simply defining the subject of TQM is challenging because it encompasses so many disciplines and "methods". The majority of publications on TQM take either a technical approach or a managerial approach. Often missing is a balanced approach to TQM combining both aspects of the subject. Such an approach is crucial, considering that many organizations report that their TQM programs have failed. The paper describes the process of selecting the content for the TQM course and the criteria used for the selection.