In TQM, what does 'process improvement' entail?

In the context of Total Quality Management (TQM), process improvement is fundamentally about systematically enhancing processes to achieve better quality outcomes. This entails analyzing existing workflows, identifying inefficiencies, and making structured changes that lead to more effective and efficient operations.

Enhancing processes might involve adopting new methodologies, utilizing data-driven decision-making, and engaging employees at all levels to contribute ideas for improvement. The ultimate goal is to optimize processes to produce higher quality products or services, which aligns perfectly with the principles of TQM that emphasize continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

By contrast, shifting responsibilities from management to employees does not inherently focus on improvement of the processes themselves, but rather on the delegation of authority and tasks. Reducing workforce numbers might be a tactic used in some contexts to cut costs but does not ensure that processes are improved or that quality outcomes will be positively affected. Finally, implementing more stringent regulations could lead to compliance but does not guarantee that the underlying processes will be enhanced systematically for improved quality, which is the crux of TQM's attitude toward process improvement.