STAT12049 Total Quality Management & Statistical Process Control (TQM & SPC)

Total Quality Management (TQM) is an approach that seeks continuous improvement in quality of all processes, products and services of an organisation. It emphasises the understanding of variation, the importance of the customer, and the involvement of all employees of an organisation in pursuit of such improvement. TQM and statistical process control (SPC) have rapidly been adopted in Australian industry as important ways to increase international competitiveness. The course aims to provide students with a knowledge of statistical and other techniques of TQM and SPC, the skills relevant to applying the principles and practices of TQM in industrial, service and government settings, a theoretical and practical understanding of how industries use quality to enhance their international competitiveness, an ability to analyse difficult industrial problems and apply measurement techniques to their solution, and the ability to cooperate effectively within teams. Topics include - Historical perspectives, Fundamental Concepts of TQM, Kaizen, Variation and quality improvement, Technical Tools of TQM and SPC, Implementing TQM, Examination of various models and Sustaining TQM. This course concentrates on the practical application of quality management techniques. Students wishing to understand the quality movement as a modern management philosophy and to learn more about the quality programs especially implementation issues may like to also take the course Quality Management (MGMT19105) offered by the Faculty of Business & Law as a complementary course.