Efforts to apply TQM in higher education

Total quality management, or TQM, is an industrial management concept whereas an organization operates with an enterprise-wide emphasis on quality, customer-centered products and continuous improvement with cycle-time reduction. Both service and hard-product enterprises can be managed using TQM. As many engineering and engineering technology programs have begun to introduce TQM as a subject topic, numerous implementation strategies have been proposed. Techniques range from lecture topics to case studies to simulations. Few programs actually implement TQM precepts in the management and practice of instructional delivery. This paper concentrates on the challenges and practice of TQM as a methodology in an educational environment