Defining a Total Quality Management (TQM) Department
In a software development setting, a Total Quality Management (TQM) department is a dedicated team or function responsible for establishing, promoting, and overseeing the implementation of TQM principles and practices throughout the software development lifecycle. The primary goal of this department is to ensure that the software products and the processes used to develop them meet the highest possible standards of quality, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction.
Core Responsibilities
Defining Quality Standards: Establishing clear and measurable quality standards for the software development process and the final product, often in alignment with industry best practices and customer expectations.
Promoting a Quality Culture: Fostering an organization-wide commitment to quality, where every team member understands their role in achieving quality objectives.
Process Improvement: Continuously analyzing and improving software development processes to enhance efficiency, reduce defects, and increase the quality of deliverables.
Quality Assurance (QA): Often oversees or works closely with QA teams to ensure that testing and other quality assurance activities are effectively planned and executed.
Quality Control (QC): May be involved in monitoring and verifying the quality of software deliverables at various stages of development.
Training and Education: Providing training and resources to development teams on quality management principles, tools, and techniques.
Data Analysis and Reporting: Collecting and analyzing data related to quality metrics to identify trends, areas for improvement, and the overall quality of the software.
Compliance: Ensuring that software development processes and products comply with relevant standards, regulations, and contractual agreements.
Customer Focus: Championing the voice of the customer within the development process to ensure that their needs and expectations are met or exceeded.
Supplier Quality: If applicable, managing the quality of components or services provided by external vendors.
Key Focus Regarding Software Development
Customer Focus: Understanding and meeting or exceeding customer requirements.
Total Employee Involvement: Engaging all employees in the pursuit of quality.
Process Approach: Managing activities as interrelated processes.
System Approach to Management: Understanding and managing the organization as an integrated system.
Continual Improvement: Making ongoing improvement a permanent objective.
Fact-based Decision Making: Basing decisions on data and analysis.
Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationships: Fostering collaborative relationships with suppliers.
In essence, a TQM department in software development serves as a central point for all quality-related activities, fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products that meet customer needs.
Several key takeaways are worth noting: ensuring that your organization communicates effectively at all levels, from the client to the team. If your organization is using Agile development, the continual improvement point should be a critical one. Always be willing to review your deliverables and the work done to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments throughout the process.
