JUSE

Even after an organization wins the Deming Prize after enthusiastically implementing TQM to improve its organizational constitution (health), it cannot expect to maintain the good results if its TQM activities become stagnant due to lack of focus, efficiency or continuity - in spite of considerable investment in man-hours and money. Only a continuing emphasis on priority issues gives an organization "power", which is exactly what applying for the Deming Grand Prize helps to do. For this reason, the Deming Grand Prize examination emphasizes how the applicant organization has prioritized and continued its TQM activities after having received the Deming Prize.

Various reforms / improvements achieved in the process of TQM promotion, which leads up to greater organizational capability and the receipt of the Deming Prize, are significant accomplishments. More importantly, they create intellectual and technological assets the organization can carry forth into the future. It only makes sense that the reforms / improvements realized through investing considerable man-hours and money should be accumulated and handed down as the organization's systems, standards and intrinsic technologies. Moreover, these should be effectively and continuously used in the organization's daily operations after receiving the Deming Prize. The focused and continued implementation of TQM is important as well, an effort that is supported by applying for the Deming Grand Prize.

The number of new managers and employees who have not experienced the Deming Prize challenge increases as time passes. For this reason, it is necessary to develop these individuals and pass along the intellectual and technological assets from generation to generation. After all, these individuals will be the ones tackling new priority issues using their acquired knowledge. It is important, therefore, to develop employees through continued implementation of TQM and practical education and training. Applying for the Deming Grand Prize will accelerate such employee development.

As discussed earlier, society and the economy are changing rapidly. In such an environment, TQM is necessary to identify priority issues that are well suited for such changes and that promote activities necessary for tackling new issues. Furthermore, in putting one's TQM into practice, it is important to involve new managers and employees who have not experienced the Deming prize challenge. Through continued implementation of priority issues, an organization can effectively practice TQM that supports innovative business management - a way of managing that is adaptable to changes in the surrounding business while keeping pace with time and abreast of changes. These efforts may result in the development of creative TQM methodologies suitable for new age. Applying for the Deming Grand Prize supports such an end.

The TQM practices developed before and during the challenge for the Deming Prize need to take root in daily work and become integrated into the way a company manages its business. To do this effectively, it is important that an organization does not spend excess time implementing TQM and, consequently, harms its implementation efforts. Regardless of the pace of change or shifting economic - 3 - conditions, the fundamental trend of the future is expected to be the pursuit of employee satisfaction, satisfying working environment, creation of jobs worth doing and rearing personnel. In light of this trend, one of the necessary conditions for maintaining the continuity of TQM is to carry out a TQM practice best suited to one’s organization, and produce results. Therefore, it is important to prioritize activities, eliminate waste and streamline one's TQM methodologies. To move in such a direction, it is essential to promote TQM creatively and uniquely without getting trapped in the ways of the past. The examination process for the Deming Grand Prize is constantly reviewed and improved to ensure this happens.

It is strongly requested that the applicant organization will not spend excess time in preparing itself for the Deming Grand Prize examination. As discussed above, the organization should promote TQM that focuses on the continued improvement or priority issues and that integrates the results of TQM into daily work. The applicant organization is expected to prepare itself and stand for the examination while maintaining a work environment of business as usual.

The ideal of TQM is total participation. However, this does not mean that every employee's participation can be mandated. Instead, organizations are expected to promote a kind of TQM that behooves the majority of employees to believe their effort and involvement is worthwhile. The Deming Grand Prize supports such a brand of TQM and demands that applicant organizations promote it with a free spirit suited to their unique environment.

Organizations that apply for the Deming Grand Prize have options for the on-site examination: an examination similar to the Deming Prize (Schedule A, Schedule B and Executive Session) or another format more suitable for the applicant in light of its business and priority issues.

Considering the fact that the applicant has already received the Deming Prize, the examination for the Deming Grand Prize will cover the entire organization as one examination unit and is conducted within two days.

The Deming Grand Prize has its purpose to promote continuity, development, deepening, and evolution of TQM activities in the organization of the Deming Prize winner. However, since 1995, an individual division or an equivalent individual organization may apply for the Deming Grand Prize. Since 2010, a winner of the Quality Control Award for Operations Business Units may also apply for the Deming Grand Prize.

Receiving the Deming Grand Prize is a result of continuing to practice TQM for a long time even after receiving the Deming Prize, and it is the highest quality control honor. It is the Deming Prize Committee's sincere hope, therefore, that organizations continue to promote TQM targeted to their priority issues; that they apply for the Deming Grand Prize; and that they share the results of TQM and the honor of receiving the Prize with all employees.