Principles and criteria for succeeding with Canonical Action Research (CAR) have made it easier to study problems like how to implement Total Quality Management (TQM) in real organisations, where the first requirement of CAR is to get into a position of organisational power. How does one attain power? How should a powerless action researcher manage his interpersonal information flow intelligently? The Management System for Survival (MSS) is based on the idea of gradually developing the necessary and sufficient power as the TQM implementation process develops. The book accounts a five-year study of an academic TQM consultant trying to survive in a public sector organisation.