Benefits and challenges of tqm and ISO

Benefits and Challenges

TQM's benefits include continuous improvement, which "reflects a way of management in which every employee has a role to play, everything is subject to change and customer needs are the driving force" (Sarkissian, n.d.). TQM empowers the employees to care about their work and the products they are making. TQM also has the customer's needs and wants in mind and ensure the products meet these standards. Challenges associated with TQM include the time and money needed for training the employees on standards, mainly small businesses (Sarkissian, n.d.). While training is necessary the resources may not be available. A company that wants to survive in the long run will have to find ways around time and money to be able to train staff and have everyone caring about quality.

ISO benefits include proof of security to third parties (for clients, partners and legal purposes), a competitive advantage: 'documented quality' by an independent authority, cost reductions, and security becomes an integral part of business processes (Thoor, 2011). These are just a few advantages of ISO, but they are significant in the success and competitiveness of a company. Challenges of ISO include having the proper funding for the quality system, the need for substantial documentation, and the length of the process (ISO Standard - International Organization for Standards, 2015). Even though the third party certification is well worth it, a company needs to make sure they have the time, the correct documentation techniques, and proper funding to complete the ISO certification process.