Summary

GAO reviewed the Department of the Air Force's implementation of total quality management (TQM). GAO found that: (1) as the Air Force invested more time and effort in TQM activities, TQM implementation matured, barriers became less difficult, and greater benefits could be achieved; (2) 98 percent of the Air Force facilities surveyed had implemented TQM initiatives and 67 percent believed TQM was beneficial; (3) Air Force respondents generally agreed that the lack of information and training on TQM were barriers to successful TQM implementation; and (4) TQM had a moderate to very positive impact on the Air Force's internal operations.