Innovative methods for quality management in educational organizations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present good practices of improving quality of educational services through use of innovative methods in order to involve staff in the processes of the organization's management. Design/methodology/approach The study of teachers' and management's perception of quality initiatives is used as a basis for analyzing main causes of inhibition of the quality initiatives. The authors formulate the issue of a low efficiency of quality management systems (QMS) and make conclusions about why it is important to expand the "quality spirit" among teachers and managers and why it is necessary to implement quality management principles (such as a leadership and staff involvement) in educational organizations. Findings The innovation and project (IP) technique of training is proposed to solve the tasks of expanding the "quality spirit," creating leadership and involving educational organization's staff in the quality management processes. The paper contains description and examples of use of the IP technique in order to create efficient management systems on the basis of leadership and involvement of managers and other staff in the processes of quality management. The authors formulate principles of innovative training and evaluate the effects of its use in the projects aimed at improvement of QMS. Practical implications - The paper presents the experience of usage of the main component of the technique - an innovative workshop - for development of the strategy of Pastukhov Academy, building a managing team and involving staff in quality assurance activities. The paper presents the practical value of the results achieved by the academy in the process of implementation of the IP technique for development of the managing team and their strategic self-identification, as well as for increasing the quality of educational services. The IP technique is used in the process of implementation of social responsibility standards. Originality/value - The paper is valuable for educational organizations, which may use the IP technique that will result in providing a real effect on the QMS, improving the educational courses and a positive impact on improving the quality of life.