TQM Implementation at Labor

GAO reviewed the implementation of total quality management (TQM) at the Department of Labor. GAO found that: (1) most of the Labor facilities surveyed have implemented various phases of TQM or are planning to implement TQM; (2) 54 percent of the Labor facilities began TQM implementation within the past 2 years; (3) as Labor's TQM maturity increased, its involvement in common TQM activities increased; (4) 53 percent of the Labor facilities believed that TQM had positive benefits, while 42 percent believed it was too soon to judge TQM benefits; (5) operating and internal conditions improved as maturity increased; (6) Labor respondents identified lack of funding as the most significant barrier to TQM; and (7) barriers became less significant as maturity increased.