How to Manage a TPM Program Successfully

A Total Productive Maintenance program, also known as a TPM program, is often put into place by a company looking for a way to dramatically increase production, while also keeping employee morale at a high level. It's based on the Total Quality Management (TQM) program, which has gotten rave reviews in past years. It's not easy, but you can certainly manage a TPM program successfully at your business.

Instructions

1. Get everyone involved on board. Although it's essential to get top management behind your TPM program, you also need to empower all employees so they will feel ownership in this new program and will want to help make it successful.

2. Explain clearly why the TPM program is important. Employees will learn to produce goods without cutting quality, avoid waste and maintain equipment and facilities at the lowest possible cost. Make sure employees understand that many of them will need to change their attitudes about their responsibilities.

3. Implement training. Find a way to make it upbeat and entertaining. Outline the direct benefits of the program, including overall efficiency and satisfied customers. Show employees how a successful TMP program translates into greater profits and higher salaries for everyone.

4. Institute accountability. Find a way to accurately and clearly measure the results of the TPM program. Show the results on in-house web pages, bulletin boards and in employee newsletters.

5. Make teamwork an important aspect of the program. All employees, from the top to the bottom, will need to feel they are a vital part of the team. Manage this step carefully and you will go a long way toward making the program a success.

6. Reward employees when the TPM program shows great results. Use both financial and non-financial incentives to keep the program going.