Total Quality Measurement in the Oil Industry

Results also form part of the judging criteria of Total Quality Management (TQM) models such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the USA and the more recent European Quality Award. Oxford and Websters dictionaries give a common definition of "quality" as "degree of excellence". This is remarkably brief and no doubt unsatisfactory to many people, yet if "degree" means a stage in ascending or descending series, in intensity or in amount, then measurement is by definition explicitly required if terms such as "quality level", "good quality", "high quality" etc. are to have any real meaning. Using measurement is inherent in the methods of all the major writers on the achievement of business improvement through quality. However, it is not easy for quality professionals or line managers to find examples of what they should measure, and how to do it in their own particular functions and in their own particular industries; case studies always seem to refer to others. This book shows the value of using measures, with practical advice on, and examples of, implementing them specifically in the oil and petrochemicals industries, and is based on the relevant experiences and investigations of the authors. Strongly oil industry focused, it is, however, expected that the lessons will be applicable to many other industries. Like a "cook-book", there are a number of recipes to be tried and tested. Those most palatable to a particular organisation are likely to be the ones repeated most often. It is particularly relevant to those organizations who are trying to establish management by fact rather than opinion. Written primarily for managers at all levels in the oil and petrochemical industry, both technical and non-technical, this book is also a source of information for…