A limited choice decision-making exercise about the seven stages of a TQM programme.
Designed for groups of 3-6 members and comes complete with enough materials for seven groups. 

This exercise needs between one and a half and two hours.

Objective

To show how the principles of Total Quality Management can be given practical application.

The exercise will:

• stimulate in-depth discussion of TQM on a stage by stage basis;
• show how the principles of TQM can be given practical application in one situation - and invite comparison with other situations;
• make participants aware of the mistakes that can be made in implementation, and better able to avoid them;
• dramatise the benefits of TQM.

How it works

The tutor introduces the exercise by giving the players information about an imaginary company which intends to introduce TQM. Teh tutor also hands out the first decision paper which explains a situation and the allowed options for the teams to discuss.  Once they have selected one of the options the paper is handed back to the tutor for scoring.  The tutor can now pause while the teams discuss the 'allowable' actions and 'expert answer' or move straight onto the next decision paper and leave discussion until the end of the exercise.

The exercise can be used purely as a discussion exercise or as a competition. The competitive element is achieved by a scoring device documented in the tutor's manual. 

What participants will be doing

Considering sequential stages in a TQM program and debating, at each stage, the relative merits of several alternative actions that are described for them.

For what levels is it appropriate?

All those with a theoretical knowledge of TQM looking for a case study resource.

Included

Tutor manual; Work cards; Player's instructions and all supporting documentation.