Description: In 1989 IBM spent a staggering $2.4 billion in warranty costs. And while this was certainly bad news for a company legendary for its high production standards, cost figures showed that the news was not much better for engineering, architectural, and other technical service firms. The inevitable move towards high-cost quality controls also drove up design fees. The result for many design firms: shrinking bottom-line profits. But ensuring quality isn't always a costly proposition. At least that's what some design professionals have discovered. In fact, a sensible, disciplined program of quality improvement - Total Quality Project Management - can transform the machinery of any design project into an efficient, cost-effective, and highly motivated professional team. Author and veteran design consultant Frank Stasiowski and project management expert David Burstein demonstrate how a number of leading design firms made the successful transition to TQPM, outlining how this effective tool can be practically applied to an entire range of design project problems - from sales and administration to budgeting and more. Featuring real-life examples of TQPM in a variety of applications, this practical book provides clear, easy-to-follow guidance on identifying quality problems on studies, design projects, and construction projects; a fresh approach to improving administration, marketing, and management; keeping your clients happy; and implementing TQPM in your firm - and making your project team competitive for the '90s. Not only do the authors reshape your fundamental attitudes about quality, but they also reveal how to eliminate those expensive, profit-threatening quality control problems from yourorganization forever. The book also comes complete with numerous forms useful for self-analysis, evaluation, and action as well as a convenient glossary of terms, checklists, and references to more specialized reading. A must for design firm managers determined to boost their firm's bottom line in the '90s, Total Quality Project Management for the Design Firm is a blueprint and handbook to restyling your organization into an efficient, cost-effective service firm.

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