Managing a Software Development Organization with a TQM Approach for Balance in a Period of Rapid Growth

Software organizations rely on quality models designed for their specific purposes, the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) being the most prominent model to follow. However, in striving for both product and process quality in their activities, small and medium sized enterprises with a limited legacy of organizational culture and tradition in quality work, may profit from quality frameworks following the Total Quality Management (TQM) principles. The ISO quality standards (the 9000 series) provide such principles. A further framework suggested by the European Forum for Quality Management (EFQM) also gives a set of principles to follow. In a case study, we investigate how the principles of the EFQM model can be translated into practical use in a relatively young but rapidly growing software company. We suggest a “double bladed” quality tool to be used by small and medium sized software organizations: supporting the managerial work with TQM principles derived from the EFQM, together with process improvement efforts following the CMMI model.