Which of the following is a principle of Total Quality Management (TQM)?

• A. Create a constancy of purpose for the improvement of products and services
• B. Use slogans to motivate staff
• C. Focus on inspecting products rather than improving processes
• D. End the practice of supplier partnerships

Answer: (A)

Total Quality Management centers on a long-term, organization-wide commitment to improving products and services. A key principle is constancy of purpose—a stable, ongoing focus on quality improvement that guides strategy, processes, and resources toward meeting customer needs. When the organization maintains this clear direction, improvement efforts—like process redesign, employee involvement, and supplier collaboration—are pursued consistently rather than chasing short-term gains. That’s why creating a constancy of purpose for the improvement of products and services best captures how TQM drives sustained quality.

Slogans to motivate staff are superficial and don’t create real, lasting quality changes. Focusing on inspecting products rather than improving processes contradicts TQM, which emphasizes preventing defects through better processes. Ending supplier partnerships would undermine the collaborative approach TQM relies on to ensure quality across the supply chain.