Total Quality Management (TQM) at the USAF Academy
Abstract
Key TQM principles should be applied at the Academy to improve efficiency and effectiveness. To support this assertion, this paper first will clarify the need for renewed TQM efforts at the academy. It will then examine TQM principles and unique challenges in their implementation for academic organizations. Finally , it will highlight some specific area and ways for TQM- based improvement at the Academy. To limit the scope of this task, the author focuses on the academic environment and exclude administration or support areas. The Academy needs emphasis on TQM now. At the heart of TQM is the continuous drive to improve quality and competitiveness in a customer-oriented market. Yet, last year the General Accounting Office questioned the Academy's ability to provide academic quality vs. civilian counterparts; and this year Congress attacked the management and educational model of our all-military Academy vs. sister services. Further, in an era of declining resources, the Academy must justify to senior leaders the merits of its program vs. such other commissioning sources as ROTC and OTS. Finally, it can be expected that with military drawdowns and fewer Academy-linked incentives (i.e., pilot slots or regular commissions) potential cadets will carefully examine the value of our program vs. civilian ones. All these factors clarify our concern for Academy improvement, and TQM is a way to accomplish such improvement--this already has been at other academic institutions
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 12, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA283191
Entities
People
- Ronald D. Reed
Organizations
- Air War College