Author(s)

M.M. Peat

Abstract

The human factor: A missing element in quality management M.M. Peat Marion Peat Quality Management Consultancy, 6/2 Craighouse Gardens, Edinburgh EH 10 5TX, UK ABSTRACT Hundreds of organisations throughout industry have undertaken some sort of quality initiative, all of them different and with varying degrees of success. Too often the human factor is not given the attention it deserves. This is the element which determines the internal motivation and commitment levels and, if an organisation is to gain the full benefits of quality management, it needs to have the whole-hearted participation and support of every individual. An examination of how human factors manifest themselves within the software industry and discussion of techniques which can be employed to deal with them demonstrates how quality improvements can be made by meeting human needs as an inherent part of the quality management system.

Keywords