More “walk the talk”: Deming’s 14 points applied to contracting out

This article applies Total Quality Management (TQM) concepts to the specific case of contracting out. Specifically, it applies quality expert E. Edwards Deming’s 14 points to the management of contracts by firms employing contractors. His points are generally held to be the “bedrock philosophy” on which any TQM effort must rest. By adapting these quality concepts and philosophies to contracting practices, processes and procedures, managers can develop Total Quality Contracting (TQC) approaches for their organizations.