Quality improvement efforts are the focus of lead ers in many fields. While we have emerging examples of successful efforts we have fewer presentations of the pathways to follow. This paper offers a general procedure based on a Double Track model. Two pro cedural processes are offered: (1) at the whole orga nization level, Track 1, as a strategic means to quality improvement; and (2) at the project level, Track 2, for an operational path to quality improvement work at the team level. It is suggested that successful efforts follow this Double Track effort already and that fur ther identification and elaboration of the pathway will speed diffusion of quality improvement efforts.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Juran JMJuran on Planning for Quality. New York, New York, Free Press, 1988.
2.
Ziegenfuss JTDesigning Organizational Futures. A Systems Approach to Stretegic Planning with Cases for NonProfit and Public Organizations. Springfield, Illinois, Charles C Thomas, 1989 .
3.
Crosby P.Quality is Free. New York, New York, McGraw Hill, 1979.
4.
Ackoff RLCreating the Corporate Future. Plan or Be Planned For. New York, New York: Wiley, 1981.
5.
Bryson JMStrategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit organizations. A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement. San Francisco, California, Jossey Bass, 1988.
6.
Juran JM. op. cit note 1.
7.
Plsek PE "Tutorial. Quality improvement project models". Quality Management in Health Care1(2), 1993.
8.
Argyris C., Putnam R., Smith DMAction Science. San Francisco, California, Jossey Bass, 1985.
9.
Crosby P. op. cit note 3.
10.
Camp RCBenchmarking. The Search for Industry Best Practices That Lead to Superior Performance. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Quality Press, 1989.
11.
Ackoff RL. op. cit note 4
12.
Ackoff RL. op. cit note 4.
13.
Walton M. DemingManagement At Work. New York, New York, G. P. Putnam & Sons, 1990.
14.
Ziegenfuss JT "Are You Growing Systems Thinking Managers? Use A Systems Approach to Teach and Practice Organizational Analysis and Planning, Policy and Development," Systems Practice5(5), 1992.
15.
Ziegenfuss JT "Toward Productivity in Five Giant Steps: An Integrated Systems Approach." Sixth World Productivity Congress Proceedings Vol II, 1988 .
16.
Maxwell CI, Ziegenfuss JT, Chisholm RC "Beyond Quality Improvement Teams. Sociotechnical Systems Theory and Self-directed Work Teams." Quality Management in Health Care1(2), 1993.
17.
Ziegenfuss JTThe Organizational Path to Health Care Quality . Ann Arbor, Michigan: Health Administration Press, 1993.
