Quality Circle-A way to Quality Improvement

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• Meaning• Major Attributes/concepts• Objectives• Structure of QC• Benefit and Limitation

Quality CircleQuality Circles were started in Japan in 1962 ( Kaoru Ishikawa has been credited for creating Quality Circles) as another method of improving quality.

Prof. Ishikawa, who believed in tapping the creative potential of workers, innovated the Quality Circle movement to give Japanese industry that extra edge in creativity.

What is a Quality Circle?

A QC is a voluntary group of employees who perform similar duties and meet at periodic intervals, often with management, to discuss work-related issues and to offer suggestions and ideas for improvements, as in production methods or quality control.

It is a participatory management technique that enlists the help of employees in solving problems related to their own jobs.

Concepts

Major Attributes of Quality Circle/concepts

1. Quality Circle is a form of participation management.

2. Quality Circle is a human resource development technique.

3. Quality Circle is a problem solving technique.

Objectives

1.Self developme

nt2.Mutual development

3.Quality

4.Communication

5.Waste reduction

6.Job satisfaction

7.Cost reduction

8.Productivity9.Safety

10.Problem solving

11.Team building

12.Link all people

13.Involvement

14.Participation

15.Reduce absenteeism

Quality Circle Objectives

Characteristics of Quality

Circles

How do QC Operate

Code of Conduct QC

Process of QC

Sequential Steps of Quality Circle

1. Problem identification: Identify a number of problems.2. Problem selection : Decide the priority and select the

problem to be taken up first.3. Problem Analysis : Problem is clarified and analyzed by

basic problem solving methods.4. Generate alternative solutions : Identify and evaluate

causes and generate number of possible alternative solutions.

5. Select the most appropriate solution : Discuss and evaluate the alternative solutions by comparison in terms of investment and return from the investment. This enables to select the most appropriate solution.

6. Prepare plan of action : Prepare plan of action for converting the solution into reality which includes the considerations "who, what, when, where, why and how" of solving problems.

7. Present solution to management circle members present solution to management fore approval.

8. Implementation of solution : The management evaluates the recommended solution. Then it is tested and if successful, implemented on a full scale.

Structure/Elements

Top Managment

Steering Committee

Facilitator

Leader

Members

Non-members

Coordinating Agency

Structure/Elements of Quality Circle

– A steering committee: This is at the top of the structure. It is headed by a senior executive and includes representatives from the top management personnel and human resources development people. It establishes policy, plans and directs the program and meets usually once in a month.

• Top management: Influences the succesful implementation-To convey its policy of quality to its employees and encourage them to form quality circles-financial support etc.,

– Coordinator: He may be a Personnel or Administrative officer who co-ordinates and supervises the work of the facilitators and administers the programme.

• Facilitator: He may be a senior supervisory officer. He coordiatesthe works of several quality circles through the Circle leaders.

Structure of Quality Circle– Circle leader: Leaders may be

from lowest level workers or Supervisors. A Circle leader organizes and conducts Circle activities.

– Non Member : Externally supporter-They realize the benefits of forming circles, they will willingly participapate in the activities.

– Circle members : They may be staff workers. Without circle members the program cannot exist. They are the lifeblood of quality circles.

Benefits

benefits

The Quality Circles are expected to develop

1)internal leadership 2)reinforce worker morale and motivation 3)encourage a strong sense of teamwork in an

organisation. 4)higher quality 5)improved productivity 6)greater upward flow of information 7)broader improved worker attitudes 8)job enrichment

Limitation

limitations

Quality circles often suffer from:

1) unrealistic expectations for fast results 2) lack of management commitment and support 3) resistance by middle management 4) resentment by non participants 5) inadequate training 6) lack of clear objectives 7) failure to get solutions implemented.

What AC are NOT?

Pitfalls and Problems of

QC