The document discusses the weekly discussion assignment where students are asked to post their Key Assignment draft for other students to review. The purpose is to help improve the quality of the Key Assignment by getting feedback. Students are instructed to attach their draft to a discussion post along with any relevant notes, but they are not being graded on the draft itself. The goal is to facilitate peer review and feedback to strengthen students' Key Assignment work.

1. The discussion assignment for this week will be a review of the
Key Assignment Draft from other students. Your first task is to
post your Key Assignment draft to the discussion area so that
other students will be able to review your work. Attach your
document to your main discussion post, and include any notes
that you feel are appropriate in the post. You are not being
graded on your Key Assignment Draft at this point. The purpose
of this assignment is to help improve the quality of your Key
Assignment.
I’ve attached all the work that has been submitted from week 1-
3.
Week 1.
Total Quality Management (TQM) are management methods
applied to improve the productivity and quality of operations in
a business entity. Total quality management is also referred to
as a comprehensive approach to management that is used across
an entity, which includes divisions, workers and extends
forward and backward to include customers/clients and
suppliers. It mainly focuses on quality productivity in an
organization's operations. The approach also focuses on the
long-term satisfaction of customers. The approach views an
entity as a collection of processes that form one unit. “Do the
right things, right at the first time every time” is the simple
objective of total quality approach (Goeatsch nd Davis, 2014).
The processes of total quality management are categorized in
four following categories: plan, do, check and act. However
before the advent of total quality management concept various
other quality embedded approaches were used in different
organizations all over the world. These approaches include Six
Sigma method which involves six distinct steps which are
defined, measures, analyses, improve and control. Other
methods on quality such as “Theory of Inventive Problem

2. Solving” which was technically created to emphasize on quality
improvement through problem elimination (Goeatsch nd
Davis,2014).
The approach has acquired specific strategic attention because it
has highlighted on the core problem of all organization which is
quality development, management, and maintenance. The
companies that have applied this approach have succeeded and
created good cooperation among its personnel. Some of the
foundation of this approach include the commitment of the
administration to all workers, satisfying the consumers’ needs,
team improvement, systems to facilitate enhancement and
reducing product service costs (Gemenez-Aspin, 2012).
Total Quality Management is considered a customer-focused
procedure whose continual improvement of organizations
activities. It strives to ensure all associated human resource
work toward the common objectives of improving goods or
service quality, as well as enhancing the processes that are in
place for production. Particular emphasis is put on fact-based
decision making, using performanceformula to monitor
progress. High levels of entity communication are emphasized
on, for the purpose of maintaining employee morale and
involvement.
References:
Goetsch, D. L., & Davis, S. B. (2014). Quality management for
organizational excellence. person.
Gimenez-Espin, J. A., Jiménez-Jiménez, D., & Martínez-Costa,
M. (2013). Organizational culture for total quality
management. Total Quality Management & Business
Excellence, 24(5-6), 678-692.

3. Week 2.
Quality improvement involves a formal approach to analysis of
performance and the systematic efforts that are used to improve
it. Various models are used to meet these improvements
including Total Quality Management and Continuous Quality
Improvement among others. Quality improvement is done at the
industry, administration, in medical practice and even at a
personal level. Personal experience in quality management
programs are many. These include pursuing master’s program so
that one can get promotion at work, at work, one can improve
his or her performance and at home, buy a certain cleaning
agent to improve cleanliness. Personally, I have experiencer
quality improvement at work. We had installed an inventory
monitoring system that allowed us to know what was in store at
all times. This changed the manner in which materials were
handled at the company (Roche, B. & Sommer, C., 2010).
Modern quality theory and management is customer focused.
Total quality management today is more customer focused than
it is employee focused. As such, it is important to carry out the
improvement on quality focused on increasing the satisfaction
of the customers. Customers are satisfied by the quality they get
from the business and this makes it essential to improve the
quality through quality improvement.
Some of the quality initiatives failed. This is because of
failing to adhere to certain principles in business. One of them
is failure to realize that pursuing quality is more important than
quantity and risks. Failure to carry out cost-benefit analysis for
the business and failure to adhere to the stringent measures of
quality improvement as defined (Miranda, 2013).
References:
Miranda, S. (2013, April 28). 5 Quality Failures that shook the
World. Retrieved from Process Excellence Network:
http://www.processexcellencenetwork.com/lean-six-sigma-
business-transformation/articles/5-quality-failures-that-shook-

4. the-world/
Roche, B. & Sommer, C. (2010). Quality Assurance and qulity
improvement. Personal Experiences and intentions. Swiss
Surgeons, 67-73.
Week 3
5S
The tactic used in improving quality in the organization was 5S.
The employment of 5S in the organization’s strategy brought a
lot of positive results in the company. 5S was applied in the
organization’s operations in different ways.
Sort
The organization ensured that everything was sort out. By
sorting out everything the employees would spend very little
time looking for a tool or a document (Hannon, 2006). The
organization did not only concentrate on tools and equipment
used in the organization, it ensured that even the files were
sorted out.
Set in order
All the files belonging to the organization was set in order.
There had been delays in operations because it took a long time
to look for a file or a document. The manager ensured that all
the tools used in the organization were set in order. The move
helped in speeding up the organization’s operations and
reducing accidents at workplace.
Shine
After sorting out and setting everything in order, the
organization ensured that the services and products of the
company were attractive to the customers. The quality of most
of the commodities was improved.
Standardize
The best way to ensure that the services and products of an

5. organization are attractive to the customers is by setting a
quality standard. Standardizing the quality of goods and
services helped in attracting more customers.
Sustain
For an organization to remain successful it must ensure that all
the strategies put in place are not eroded. Failure to maintain
the quality standards of goods and services, the customers will
start walking away (Griffin, 2015). To ensure that the high
quality of goods and services would not be compromised, the
organization selected a team whose main objective was to
ensure that the high quality of goods and services is maintained.
References:
Griffin, R. (2015). Fundamentals of Management. Boston:
Cencage Learning.
Hannon, B. (2006). Dynamic Modeling for Business
Management. Berlin: Springer Science and Business Media.

6. Introduction
History of the quality management evolution
Based on Low & Ong, (2014) the history of quality management
is traced back to middle ages in which the work of apprentices
and journeymen were inspected and assessed to make sure that
they met quality standards in all factors of the final product so
as to ensure that buyers are satisfied. It has pass through several
changes but it has maintained its goals. It started to work in
1920’s and its focus was on the final product in which the
statistical theory was applied for the first time to product
quality control. The inspections on product quality control was
done, this include examining, measuring and testing the
processes, products against specific requirements to ensure
every element met standards and guidelines. During the late
1970s and early 1970s Western Europe and North America were
facing stiff competition from Japan and the United Kingdom a
net importer of final products. The firms started to reexamine
the quality control techniques and how the Japanese have been
successfully employed them and at this point the quality
management control was employed in most parts.
This quality management is needed for the companies to ensure
that their products are quality and standards and satisfied their
customers. It is also needed to ensure that the end products meet
the required standards. Development and change were done in
1940’s by experts and industry leaders and this was the start of
Total Quality Management. This system is needed to change the
focus from inspecting the end product to preventing final
product problems by detecting on the production line.
Direction that companies are adopting in terms of strategic
quality management
According to Naidu el at, (2006) there are various directions
that companies can adopt in terms of strategic quality
management but the following two are more specific. These

7. include; adopting the direction of threshold capabilities which
are required for the requirements of the completion in a market.
In order to achieve competitive advantage, there is need to
develop strategic capabilities which the competitors cannot
obtain. This can be achieved through the resources that the
company has and which are unique.
Strategic planning
This is another strategic direction that the company can adopt
this so as to focus and prioritize the efforts and the
implementation of a plan. The company can use this direction to
anticipate and predict changes and the position the company to
act. The company has to quality which is a top priority for all in
the company.
Six Sigma
Evolution
This is a methodology started by Motorola in 1986. It was
developed to minimize defects in business process by improving
it. It is widely as an organizational strategy which majors on
reduction of differences and achievement of output
improvements through problem solving.
Pros of Six Sigma
This initiative has several advantages which have made it
employed by various companies. The following are the pros of
this initiative; it makes decision based on data which can be
verified rather than focusing on the assumptions. It also put
more emphasis on the support and passionate management
leadership. It is also customer driven. It is also addressing the
whole process of behind the completion of service instead of the
mere final product. This program is also proactive since it
focuses on improvements before shortcomings are detected. It
also stock value and sales.
Cons of six sigma
This program may create bureaucracy and rigidity that may
cause stifle creativity and delays; this is because it is applied in
all factors of planning process and production. Another con is
that the focus of customer may be taken to ends, in which the

8. inner qualities control measures that are not taken due to the
emphasis of achieving the Six Sigma – stipulated status of
consumer satisfaction (Evans, 2014)
Evolution of Deming program
This program evolved when the level of competition among
business organizations increased and there was need to review
the quality management programs to ensure that the service and
products remain competitive. It was applied after World War II.
Pros of Deming program
This program has several programs which include; it makes
small-scale improvements at all levels of manufacturing and
management processes and earns benefits of their cumulative
effects. With this organizations are able to maximize value and
quality for the final- user. This program is also has benefits the
suppliers by enabling them to devote their attention towards the
innovative goods with higher tolerance. It also reduces the time
for inspection and this make the purchasers to depend on quality
parts. This program also enables the companies to enjoy a
dedicated workforce and increase the morale on every member
of the company by placing the commitment.
Cons of Deming program
While this program has its benefit, it also has demerits which
include; this program calls for the elimination of work standards
and numerical quotas and the frontline employees may not in a
position to provide documentation of positive job evaluation
during compensation hearings. Also the employers may not be
in a position to justify workers increment of salaries and
terminations. It forced the companies to get involved in swift
undertaking which will negate the available benefits from the
new process and alienating members who are not ready to move
from the status quo. This program also does not demand radical
organization reform while it calls for organizational change.
This from week 2
SENIOR MANAGEMENT ROLES
For an organization to perform its roles efficiently, the senior

9. management must ensure that they effectively follow their roles
and responsibilities well. This will ensure that the organization
achieve their goals and objectives. The senior management has
well displayed roles that they should follow so as to make the
organization a successful and this is as discussed below.
To begin with, the senior management is essential in matters
pertaining decision making of the major strategic plans of the
organization. This includes the methods and policies to be used
in strategic plans as well as matters that arise among the
employees. Again the senior management must set a good
example for the junior staff to follow. This will ensure that they
become good role models to them and doing efficient work that
the juniors should imitate them.
More so, the senior management must provide necessary
resource needed in the organizational duties and functions. They
do this by authorizing funds for the different vote heads in the
organization depending with the budget involved in that period
of work. This is a great role which must be performed to ensure
that there is effective performance of the employees. If this is
not done then the organization will be at risk of closure hence
the management should do this in advance. In addition, they
should be conflict solvers in the same organization to facilitate
easy resolution of conflicts that may occur between the
employees. This will create an encouraging working
environment for both senior and junior staff.
Firms and organizations must ensure that the senior
management follows their roles to make the performance
become easy and valid. If the senior management performs these
roles then all departments will experience easy and smooth
working environment. All the resources will be available and
conflicts will be solved well. If this is not followed then the
firm will experience hardships in performing its duties.
However, the senior and middle management should come up
with metrics to be used in ensuring there is effective
monitoring, controlling good communication among the
organizational departments. This includes factors like

10. establishing good communication and monitoring methods. This
will work well for the efficient performance of the
organizations.
This from week 3
Quality management tactic
Definition
Risks
Value
Six Sigma
This refers to a methodology that is data driven that is adopted
to assist in eliminating of defects from the manufacturing of a
product or service to its transaction. For a product to have
achieved six sigma, it is not meant to have defects that are
outside the specifications of the customer.
The major risks that come with six sigma are creation of
bureaucracy, delays and stifling of creativity in the
organization. There is also the risk of not taking due of the
inner qualities control measures of the organization.
Six Sigma helps in improving customer loyalty, time
management, supply chain management and strategic planning
in the organization (Harris, 2013).
5S
This refers to a system or approach that is adopted by
organizations to optimize productivity as well as reduce waste
through maintaining order at the workplace as well as
employing visual cues with the ultimate aim of achieving
operational results that are more constant. It consists of 5
pillars that are sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain
(Lista International, 2016).
There is the risk of 5S losing its effectiveness when it is
implemented without people fully understanding it. The pother
risk is that of the program losing its role and becoming the end
goal of the improvement journey of an organization.
Implementing 5S helps in increasing the productivity of an
organization and reducing the down time. The approach also

11. helps in improving the product quality of the organization.
Safety in the organization is also enhanced.
Mistake Proofing
This refers to a quality control approach that adds controls with
the aim of preventing defects, reducing the severity of the
defects when they occur and being able to detect the defects
whenever they occur. There are three types of mistake proofing,
contact method, fixed value method and sequence method.
There is the risk of losses in the company especially when the
workers fiddle with the instruments. There is the financial risk
since it tends to require special expertise which may be
expensive (Khamesra, 2013).
Mistake proofing helps to improve customer loyalty, achieving
of the lowest cost quality control in an organization and
improves productivity.
Defining Metrics
Defining metrics is an approach that is adopted by organizations
to help the firm be able to focus the resources that they have,
human and financial, on the things that are important to the
organization and that add value.
This sometimes may comes with the risk of increased
bureaucracy and stifling of creativity since everything is laid
out.
Defining metrics helps in decision making, drives the
performance of the organization and provides focus in the
organization.
References
Evans, J. R. (2014). An introduction to six sigma and process
improvement.
Low, S. P., & Ong, J. (2014). Project quality management:

12. Critical success factors for buildings.
Naidu, N. V. R., Babu, K. M., & Rajendra, G. (2006). Total
quality management. New Delhi: New Age International (P)
Ltd. Publishers.
Week 2
References:
Bartlett, A., & Ghoshal, S. (1997). The myth of the generic
manager: new personal competencies for new management
roles. California management review, 40(1), 92-116.
Crawford, L. (2005). Senior management perceptions of project
management competence. International journal of project
management, 23(1), 7-16.
Liff, S., & Ward, K. (2001). Distorted views through the glass
ceiling: the construction of women's understandings of
promotion and senior management positions. Gender, Work &
Organization, 8(1), 19-36.
Week 3
REFERENCES
Harris A. (2013). 6 unexpected ways Six Sigma can benefit your
company. Retrieved from
http://www.processexcellencenetwork.com/lean-six-sigma-
business-transformation/articles/6-ways-six-sigma-can-benefit-
your-company on September 03, 2016
Khamesra A. (2013). Poka yoke (mistake proofing).retrieved
from
http://www.slideshare.net/animeshkhamesra/poka-yoke-mistake-
proofing-26424292 on September 03, 2016
Lista International (2016). Implementing 5S Workplace
Organization Methodology Programs In Manufacturing
Facilities. Retrieved from
http://www.listaintl.com/resource-center/white-papers-and-case-
studies/white-papers/implementing-5s-workplace-organization-
methodology-programs-manufact on September 03, 2016