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What problems might I encounter if I attempt to implement a Total Quality Management approach?

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Each business, of course, is quite different in its vision and approach, and TQM in general is an intense and highly dynamic approach to business. As a result of the above it�s difficult to predict the specific problems you may face, but you should be aware of certain general issues that cause the failure of TQM implementation:

Expense: Particularly if a business hasn�t previously adopted some sort of quality management system, the adoption of a TQM approach will often result in profound changes in the way an organization handles its business. In conjunction with other changes, the development of new internal processes, employee realignment and training may prove cost prohibitive.
Customer identification: There are business markets in which it�s extraordinarily easy to precisely define the customers of a business. However, in some cases a business may find it difficult to accurately identify its principal customers. Given the importance of customer identification and satisfaction within the TQM approach, the lack of an appropriate customer identification and satisfaction measure may make it difficult to successfully implement TQM in your business.
Disgruntled employees: As mentioned previously, many lower-level employees will experience greater job satisfaction through a TQM approach because of increased responsibility. However, the dissolution of a normal hierarchy-based structure may leave mid-level employees with a sense that they�ve lost power. Assuming that you believe that those mid-level employees are important to your continued success, it�s therefore important that you find new ways to empower those employees.

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