TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND ITS APPLICATION TO F-14 DEPOT MAINTENANCE

Understanding the concepts of quality costs through the reduction of waste and process variation is fundamental to the TQM philosophy. The evolution in U.S. quality control demands a shift from the traditional method of auditing the finished product and improving quality by fixing problems to a method of auditing processes. Likewise, TQM demands proper use of statistical process control and continuous training of management and the work force to ensure continuous improvement and productivity. This paper discusses how the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP) Norfolk, Virginia, as an example of U.S. industry, employed the new management philosophy of TQM to reduce costs and boost productivity and efficiency. A specific application of TQM is highlighted with the preparation and implementation of the F-14 aircraft maintenance competition program. As part of this effort, the Norfolk depot's challenge was to streamline operations to minimize the cost of scheduled maintenance on a delivered F-14, while simultaneously maintaining quality. The competition against private industry for the aircraft workload provided unique opportunities to use TQM to make cultural changes throughout the depot. Norfolk would demonstrate that quality products are more a function of employee knowledge and interaction than the application of traditional quality control technology.