The concept of TQM is closely related to critical success factors (CSFs), representing the aspects that should be given attention to achieve the desired outcome. Consideration of these elements is one of the guarantees that a unit will move towards further improvement and meet its clients’ diversified needs. For this reason, the significance of CSFs for TQM cannot be denied, and they should be viewed as a part of this framework. Thus, analyzing the role of TQM in different spheres, Talib and Rahman also outline the CSFs peculiar to service industries and the healthcare sector belonging to this cohort. He outlines the following aspects:
- Commitment by top management and at all levels and support.
- Meeting customer expectations, and growing demands.
- Customer focus.
- Improvement teams development.
- Changing the ideology of product-centered culture of service system to a customer-centered culture.
- Spreading the ‘quality message’ through effective education and training programs.
- Teamwork and involvement.
- Benchmarking and employee involvement.
- Clear mission. Employee involvement and empowerment.
- Recognition and award.
- Training and development.
- Leadership and communication.
The given aspects are fundamental for any health unit as they touch upon various spheres and different levels of its functioning. For instance, the improvement in teamwork is essential for providing coordinated and cooperative care for clients with complex conditions. Moreover, training and development are two critical points needed to ensure the health workers can function effectively and treat patients by using the newest approaches.
CSFs also have a strong impact on TQM as they precondition outcomes and results of the planned change. Observation of aspects mentioned above will help leaders and managers to create a comprehensive approach that influences the most important activities of any organization. Under these conditions, it is possible to conclude that quality management is impossible without CSFs as they outline the vital areas of change and impact the choice of strategies that should be implemented to attain the desired outcome.