Total Quality Management (TQM) is a set of concepts, tools and applications which has been so successful in manufacturing industry that we are now witnessing experimentation in the transference of Total Quality Management to the public sector provision of government, health and education in North America, Europe and elsewhere. TQM is starting to set a new paradigm for management approaches in the public sector and "not for profit" enterprises. All key public service managers should at least need to know the basics of TQM, its possibilities and limitations for the public sector, and particularly the types of applications which could work for them. For all public sector managers this book provides: a clear understanding of the key concepts of TQM; a critical understanding of their relevance to the public sector; empirical evidence of TQM applications in government, health and education; and exploration of the public sector TQM possibilitites yet to be realized. It draws throughout on case examples from Britain, Canada, the USA and continental Europe which illustrate the application of TQM to the public sector.

By adopting Total Quality Management (TQM) strategies, business organizations are working smarter and gaining the competitive edge. The authors cite examples of successes of TQM in specific government agencies, including the Treasury Department, to reveal how the principles of TQM can be applied at all levels of government. The book provides numerous charts and diagrams that show concretely how to apply the concepts and techniques of TQM within any governmental organization. The authors offer case examples that detail what organizational changes are to be implemented when TQM is introduced.

In recent years there has been a growth of quality-orientated management projects within public sector organizations. This volume examines the reasons behind their development, the changes which have been brought about, and the tensions and contradictions which have arisen as a result.

Filling a gap in project management literature, this book supplies managers and administrators—at all levels of government—with expert guidance on all aspects of public sector project management. From properly allocating risks in drafting contracts to dealing with downsized staffs and privatized services, this book clearly explains the technical concepts and the political issues public managers need to understand. In line with the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) and the PMBOK® Guide, David S. Kassel establishes a framework those in the public sector may follow to ensure the success of their public projects and programs. The book supplies more than 30 real-life examples to illustrate the concepts behind the framework—including reconstruction projects in Iraq, the Big Dig project in Boston, local sewer system and library construction projects, and software technology. This second edition includes all-new extended case studies examining recent issues including the rollout of healthcare.gov, the controversial California High Speed Rail system, and refurbishing the Harvard Town Hall. Contributing to critical discussions on budgeting for capital projects and cost-benefit analysis for preliminary planning, this authoritative new edition provides strategic recommendations for effective planning, execution, and maintenance of public projects. In an age of downsized government and in the face of a general distrust of public service, this book is a dependable guide for avoiding common pitfalls and for delivering projects on cost, on schedule, and of the highest quality.

Exploring a variety of methods for improving the economic performance of organizations, this multidisciplinary text covers macro- and micro-perspectives while considering strategic planning, systematic process analysis, leadership studies, group dynamics, and human motivation theories. It highlights "quality of relationships" as a guiding principle within the framework of public administration and stresses customer, client, and stakeholder satisfaction. With over 1000 literature references, tables, drawings, and equations, and appendices of laws and regulations, the book responds to the mandate for high performance and increased productivity.

In today's environment of governmental funding reductions and diminishing resources, Human Service/Public Sector organizations are chided for not operating more like private for-profit businesses. Public sector organizations are searching for ways to convert and sustain the principles of Total Quality Management, using the tools of Juran, Deming, Drucker and Peters, which focus more on customer's needs and the use of data and proven practices to drive decision-making and service goals. The public sector organizations are asking the question: Is Quality Management a viable management system tool to be used in public and governmental sectors, given the inherent history of slow-to-change bureaucracies and ever interfering political changes in direction by elected officials? Total Quality Management and the system changes required to address a move to a client focused, customer driven and community responsive system cannot happen within the organizational structure and the political context in which today's public service organization must survive. The cost of Total Quality Management tools and the limited human resources, along with the political and public policy will, limit public service organizations' ability to set their organization on the journey of becoming an efficient and effective quality public agency. Dr. Poe explores and sheds light on some of the most common misconceptions on why quality management change is so difficult, if not impossible, in the public sector. Poe discusses the conflicting role of political leadership and community involvement in the public sector's organization, which leads to the inability to implement a Total Quality Management System.