Implementing total quality management in architectural offices

The broadening definition of quality in architecture as a result of increasing competition with many new entries, and the growth pressure that rising construction activities and volume put on architecture firms are all driving architects to get corporate and look for professional, customer oriented management styles instead of intuitive ones. In that respect, by describing and understanding the current state of affairs, this study?s objective is to identify aspects that will lay the ground for the architectural applications of Total Quality Management (TQM) -the most popular form of customer focused quality management systems- which is shown as the key to Japan?s rise after World War II and has proven widespread use and success in manufacturing and service industries.For this expoloratory study that aims to fulfill an unadressed gap in the literature, nine standard in depth interviews were done with publicly recognized and qualified architects. Responses regarding their perception of quality and their approach towards TQM applications in their management philosophies were recorded, transcribed, analyzed and interpreted.Consequently, similarities were noticed between TQM principles and unclassified methods that are currently used as part of the design process; and solutions were proposed for some problematic areas. Suggestions for TQM?s implementation in architecture firms and for future work that may follow the implications of this study are also indicated in the results section.