THE EFFECTIVENESS OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES - AN EXAMINATION OF THE KEY INFLUENCES IN 5 PLANTS

There are a number of critical factors which need to be in place for t he effective use and successful application of quality management tech niques and tools (QMT&T). These 'success' factors may be classified in to four categories: the role of the technique or tool in the improveme nt process, organization and infrastructure, data collection and the u se and application of the tool or technique. Each of the categories ar e subject to influences, defined as experience, management, resources, education and training. IT is these influences that create the issues and difficulties associated with the techniques and tools. Their effe cts may be minimal in isolation, but, when accumulated, may have a pro found adverse influence on the successful use and application of QMT&T . Based on the outcome of the investigation described in the paper, gu idelines for the effective use of QMT&T have been produced. When used in conjunction with the UMIST Quality Technique and Tool Assessment Me thod (UMIST QAM), the guidelines will provide organizations with the m eans of determining how the various influences manifest themselves in their own operating environments and will act as pointers for tackling them. This form of assessment process may also help organizations to realize the potential difficulties and issues that arise in areas such as new product development or strategy development, thereby aiding th e continuous improvement process.