A program of continuous quality improvement is the basis of a company’s assurance of products that meet standards as identified to their customers.
Total quality management would include the over all program in place. Including inspections during work in progress, (at manufacturing steps or at steps of completion if intellectual property or services are involved) after delivery inspections and the use of surveys to gauge the customers’ assessment of the quality and usefulness of the product delivered.
The total quality of the product delivered is an all company process.
Total Quality Management is more than just promoting a process of quality, one must inspect the process as it is undertaken and as it proceeds to direct changes as necessary.
Some would argue that adhering to ISO standards and processes would be the final word in TQM/CQI, however without continuous inspection and correction having met ISO certification standards would create a dead not living program.