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Applying TQM to Military Supply Units. BY: Benjamin Herrera. Introduction.
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Applying TQM to Military Supply Units BY: Benjamin Herrera
Introduction The military is governed by an authoritative system of checks and balances. Soldiers and Civilian Personnel are directed and assigned orders to follow that are times meaningless and too time consuming for them to take on alone. The main problem is that there are too many bosses and regulations to follow and no one knows exactly which regulation to follow because of overlapping procedures in many of the regulation books. Applying Total Quality Management would deliver a better management philosophy.
Overlapping Regulations • AR 11-1 (Command Logistics Review Program) • Responsible for the overall review of supply policies and procedures. • Responsible for property accountability • Responsible for overall Supply Manual Procedures • AR 735-5 (Policies and Procedures for Property Accountability) • Responsible for property accountability • Responsible for accountability of supplies below the wholesale level • Responsible for Unit Supply Manual Procedures • DA PAM 710-2-1 (Using Unit Supply Manual Procedures) • Responsible for overall review of supply policies and procedures • Responsible for property accountability • Responsible for inputting computerized data accountability • AR 710-2 (Supply Policy Below the Wholesale Level) • Responsible for inputting computerized data accountability • Responsible for property accountability • Responsible for accountability of supplies below the wholesale level
Purpose & Methodology Purpose: To evaluate the potential of Total Quality Management for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of supply inspections. Methodology: Using TQM to improve the organization’s performance at every level of operations by using all possible human and capital resources. TQM involves every member of the organization utilizing the principles of continuous improvements.
Significance Analysis of data and activity patterns in the four regulated supply inspection areas indicated that the system is inherently flawed. The accountability process of supplying and turning in military equipment took place in neither of the systematic regulations. Each system assumed that the other was taking on accountability. The main problem came in that multiple pairs of equipment were being issued to soldiers who only signed for one item not two. As well, soldiers were still held accountable for equipment they never received according to the system.
TQM Implementation Step 1: Execute Commitment to Total Quality Management. Step 2: Create a vision and a philosophy. Step 3: Establish. Step 4: Develop a Total Quality Management strategy. Step 5: Select an organization to implement TQM. Step 6: Conduct a training needs analysis. Step 7: Determine the resources for implementation.
TQM Implementation Step 8: Select suppliers of training and expertise. Step 9: Identify standards and measures. Step 10: Institutionalize Total Quality Management. Step 11: Monitor and evaluate results. Step 12: Publicize and Recognize success. Step 13: Adjust the TQM process based on feedback. Step 14: Continuous Improvement.
Analysis • By organizing a team to implement TQM, government leaders take a participative style of leadership. • A TQM committee could analyze supply issues task by task and make necessary adjustments based on the capabilities of the unit. • The TQM leadership philosophy provides a better approach towards “team” work than an authoritative or lassie-faire approach. • By residing on the TQM committee every soldier’s input is valuable and high success can be achieved
Conclusion Total Quality Management in the military is concerned with providing practical insight in order to solve real world problems. TQM brings together existing improvement efforts and specialized technical skills under a disciplined structure focused on improving all military processes. TQM should be the main initiative for continuously improving performance at every level and area of government responsibility.
Recommendation A unit should be selected as a “test pilot” for TQM philosophy and principles applied to supply inspections. Mini-TQM projects can be tested throughout several units on a three month or six month long basis. The Army may realize major long term gains from TQM “test pilots” and increase the quality of awareness of logistics through all levels of command.