Experiences from creating a quality culture for continuous improvements in the Swedish school sector by using self-assessments

Interest in total quality management (TQM) has increased rapidly in both the private sector and the public sector. TQM, which often is described vaguely, is here interpreted as a management system consisting of core values, techniques and tools that support each other in order increase customer satisfaction with fewer resources. In this paper, experiences are described from two projects based on self assessment within the Swedish school system. The aim was to stimulate a culture for continuous improvement. The results indicate, for instance, that the developed tool and the technique to work were adapted in most organizations and that self assessment is a fruitful way to stimulate quality improvements in the school system.