TQM Implementation in the Navy

GAO reviewed the Department of the Navy's implementation of total quality management (TQM). GAO found that: (1) as the Navy invested more time and effort in TQM activities, TQM implementation matured, barriers became less difficult, and greater benefits could be achieved; (2) 68 percent of the Navy's facilities have implemented various phases of TQM and most Navy personnel believed the TQM program was beneficial; (3) the Navy facilities surveyed generally agreed that empowerment, insufficient information, and lack of training on TQM concepts were the most common barriers to TQM implementation; and (4) TQM had a moderate to very positive impact on the Navy's internal operations.