Case Study of Factors Affecting Continuous Improvement in DoD ActivitiesOperating Under Total Quality Management

摘要

This study looked at factors affecting the success or failure of continuousimprovement initiatives in Department of Defense (DOD) activities to determine whether these activities were continuously improving and to identify factors effecting their efforts. Initially a list of relevant factors was compiled from the criteria for various quality awards and from factors cited in the literature. This list was synthesized into seven factors mentioned most often as critical to quality management and continuous improvement. Interviews were then conducted with representatives of the three commands included in the study. Each command provided information on a successful initiative and on an unsuccessful initiative. The interviews were reviewed and analyzed for information related to the seven critical factors, and then the relevant information was compiled into tables to facilitate comparison with these factors. The research indicated that continuous improvement efforts involved many complex interrelationships, and required the presence of at least six of the seven factors for success. This research was intended as a foundation for future work. Quality, Quality control, Quality assurance, Management.