"Why TQM Fails and What To Do About It" by Mark Graham Brown, Darcy E.
Hitchcock, and Marsha L. Willard, IRWIN Professional Publishing (1333 Burr
Ridge Parkway, Burr Ridge, IL 60521), 1994, 252 pages, $25 (list)
 
A Book Review by
Norman C. Frank, PE, CQE, CQA
CER Corporation, Washington, DC
 
"Why TQM Fails" discusses both the reasons TQM efforts within a company might
fail (root causes) then provides positive approaches to address these reasons
(preventive actions) to assure success within your company.  Examples of both
failures and successes are included to illustrate applications of the
approaches and their results.
 
This book is well suited as guidance for management before initiating TQM to
allow them to avoid the pitfalls that can lead to failure; during
implementation of TQM to guide course corrections and fine-tune the
activities; and after implementation to gauge how well they have done.  This
book is also well suited for quality professionals who must work in or lead a
TQM effort.
 
The authors focus on the positive actions to take to turn around a faltering
TQM effort so that companies will realize success.  The authors stress that
integrating TQM as the organizational way of life as key to ultimate success.
 
The book is divided into three phases; start-up, alignment, and integration. 
Within each phase the potential pitfalls and root causes are identified ,
discussed, and illustrated .  Following the discussion of each root cause for
failure, the authors provide positive steps to take and positive actions
under "Tips, Tools, and Techniques".  Each chapter contains a "Conclusion"
and "Suggested Reading".  The Tips, Tools, and Techniques and the Conclusions
allow you to quickly scan the book for immediate useful information while the
Suggested Reading allows the reader to explore each subject in depth.
 
"Why TQM Fails" is comprehensive and insightful in its coverage of the root
causes of why TQM fails.  This book belongs on the shelf of anyone working in
a TQM environment.
 
----------------
Mr. Frank has over 25 years experience in the field of quality, in the areas
of nuclear quality assurance, research and development, and consulting.  He
is currently in Washington, D.C., with CER Corporation out of Las Vegas,
Nevada.