Total quality management (TQM) is an approach to improving business effectiveness and flexibility by involving all departments and employees. The primary objective of TQM is meeting customer requirements for organizational survival. It encourages innovation, motivates employees for better quality, and provides a competitive advantage through a common purpose. TQM ensures management focuses on preventing issues rather than just inspecting outputs. Key elements include being customer-focused, aiming for quality in the first attempt, continuous improvement, treating quality as an attitude across the organization, effective communication, training, measurement, leadership involvement, employee well-being, teamwork, and focusing on processes rather than just functions. TQM fails if management is not committed to change or staff concerns.