EFQM

The Framework of the European Foundation for Quality Management. Explanation EFQM.

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Total Quality Management (TQM) is the idea that quality control should not be left to a quality controller standing at the end of a production line. (Checking the final output). It is (or should be) something that permeates an organization from the moment its raw materials arrive, until the moment its finished products leave the premises.

What is the EFQM framework. Description

The EFQM Model is a non-prescriptive TQM framework based on nine criteria. Five of these are 'Enablers' and four are 'Results'. The 'Enabler' criteria are covering what an organization does. The 'Results' criteria are covering what an organization achieves. 'Results' are caused by 'Enablers' and feedback from 'Results' help to improve 'Enablers'.

The EFQM Model recognizes that there are many approaches to achieving sustainable excellence in all aspects of performance. It is based on the assumption that excellent results with respect to Performance, Customers, People and Society are achieved through Leadership driving Policy and Strategy, that is delivered through People Partnerships and Resources, and Processes.

EFQM framework EFQM is a non-prescriptive framework that recognizes there are many approaches to achieving sustainable excellence. Within this non-prescriptive approach there are some fundamental concepts which underpin the EFQM Model:

Concepts of the EFQM model

Results Orientation. Achieve results that delight all the organization's stakeholders.
Customer Focus. Create sustainable customer value.
Leadership & Constancy of Purpose. Visionary and inspirational leadership, coupled with constancy of purpose.
Management by Processes & Facts. Manage the organization through a set of interdependent and interrelated systems, processes and facts.
People Development & Involvement. Maximize the contribution of employees through their development and involvement.
Continuous Learning, Innovation & Improvement. Challenge the status quo and effecting change by using learning to create innovation and improvement opportunities.
Partnership Development. Develop and maintain value-adding partnerships.
Corporate Social Responsibility. Exceed the minimum regulatory framework in which the organization operates and to strive to understand and respond to the expectations of their stakeholders in society.

The EFQM Model is one of the most widely used organizational frameworks in Europe.

Uses of EFQM

The EFQM model can be used for the following purposes:

To assess organizations. Thus identifying where to focus improvement activity.
Benchmarking.
Strategy reviews and creation.
Basis for applying for the European Quality Award and many national quality awards.

EFQM tools

The following tools are provided:

RADAR Scoring Matrix - Results, Approach, Deployment, Assessment and Review
Results - This covers what an organization achieves. In an excellent organization the results will show positive trends and/or sustained good performance, targets will be appropriate and met or exceeded, performance will compare well with others and will have been caused by the approaches. Additionally, the scope of the results will address the relevant areas.
Approach - This covers what an organization plans to do and the reasons for it. In an excellent organization the approach will be sound - having a clear rationale, well-defined and developed processes and a clear focus on stakeholder needs, and will be integrated - supporting policy and strategy and linked to other approaches where appropriate.
Deployment - This covers the extent to which an organization uses the approach and what it does to deploy it. In an excellent organization the approach will be implemented in relevant areas, in a systematic way.
Assessment & Review - This covers what an organization does to assess and review both the approach and the deployment of the approach. In an excellent organization the approach, and deployment of it, will be subject to regular measurement, learning activities will be undertaken, and the output from both will be used to identify, prioritise, plan and implement improvement.
PATHFINDER Card
The Pathfinder card is a Self-Assessment tool for identifying opportunities for improvement. Its purpose is to assist in the identification of improvement opportunities through Self-Assessment and to help build improvement plans. It is not a scoring tool, rather it is a series of questions designed to be answered quickly whilst undertaking a Self-Assessment. This tool can be used at either criterion or sub-criterion level.

Book: John S. Oakland - TQM: Text with Cases, Third Edition -

EFQM Special Interest Group

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EFQM Forum

Recent User Comments

    			 
  			   LEILA - JAFARI
  	       
  		     Spare Parts Management
  	  		 "I am working in a tyre manufacturing company. I am interested in tips on how we can manage a spare parts department."
  			   
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  	  		 "What is the excellence approach in the efqm criteria?"
  			   
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  			   Vignesh - India
  	       
  		     EFQM vs TQM
  	  		 "(How) is EFQM better or different from  TQM?"
  			   
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              - Egypt
  	       
  		     EFQM
  	  		 "I have an idea and i want to share it with you, what if all 12manage subjects are clasified by EFQM criteria. This will help to benifit more from the model, your feed back is appreciated. Thank you."
  			   
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EFQM Education & Events

More Management Methods, Models and Theory

12manage for:

                     
                      ●  (netherlands)
                      
                    EFQM
                    "To implement a Quality system you have several stages. For example first Iso 9000 than TQM and at last EFQM."

                     
                      ● Moe (UAE)
                      
                    Response
                    "Sorry, but the sense I made out of thise question was whether the EFQM model followed any approach.

The EFQM is not an organisation with policies and procedures and strategic goals. It is just a framework, which the article above discribed as "non-prescriptive". It does not teach "How to do things" but rather "what to do". So, this question does not really apply on a model or a framework."

                     
                      ● Moe (UAE)
                      
                    Response
                    "The EFQM model is not better, just more comprehensive. TQM is one of the methods to manage your procedures, while the EFQM addresses procedures as a part of the model. EFQM model is more concerned with what the organisation does, how it does it, why does it do it that way, and what does it do with the outcome or results. TQM only falls into the realm of "how you do it" - procedures, satisfying only a few requirements of the EFQM. EFQM does not judge you on whether or not you use TQM or any other methods, it's mainly concerned with how effective it is with your organisation, and what the outcome is - i.e. positive or negative trends and results, and finally, whether or not procedures or work "approaches" are being assessed and reviewed based on results. Completely different things. 

Consequently, you can't really say or claim that EFQM is better or worse than TQM, because they're completely different things. EFQM model is definitely more comprehensive and addresses the organisation as a whole."

                     
                      ●  (Netherlands)
                      
                    Classifying methods by EFQM Criteria
                    "Interesting idea, Samuel. I am sure that you have noticed  that some EFQM Criteria are already a match with 12manage disciplines: Leadership, People (=HRM), Policy and Strategy (Strategy), Partnerships and Resources (Supply Chain), Processes (Change and Organization), Innovation and Learning (Knowledge Management & Intangibles)..."