Quality circle content and implementation

Quality circle content and implementation

1. Quality Circle Content and Implementation

2. Introduction Professor Kaoru Ishikawa(1951-89) is known as the “Father of quality Circle” for his role in launching Japan’s quality movement in the 1960’s. In the late 1950’s he articulated the philosophy which lead to the development of quality circles in the early 1960’s. in the 1962 may the first quality circle registered in Japan and first QC conference was held at Japan in 1962 November. Quality circles are popular quality improvement systems. Almost all major companies have adopted the conference of QC. The case studies of QC’s act as models. With the help of such models an individual entrepreneur group to improve the quality of work life and helps to develop to innovative from members.

3. What is Quality Circle? Quality circle is a small group to perform quality control activities voluntarily within the small workshop. The small group carries on continuously as a part of company wide quality control activities for self development and mutual development and for control and improvement within the workshop utilizing quality control techniques with all the members participating.

4. Basic Ideas Behind Quality Circle Activities Quality circle activity is carried out as a part of company-wide quality control activities in order to: Contribute to the development and improvement of the corporate culture and the company’s improvement. Create cheerful work places that make life worthwhile and where humanity is respected. Display human capabilities fully and eventually draw out limitless potentials.

5. Quality circles Objectives There are number of objectives that can accomplished in the quality circle program. The following examples will give some ideas of the accomplishments that work towards: Self development Mutual development Improvement in quality Improvement in communication and studies waste reduction Job satisfaction Cost reduction Improvement in productivity Safety improvement problem solving opportunities Team building Link all levels of management and workers together to achieve success Get people more involvement and interest in their work Improve participation Reduce absenteeism and grievances

6. Secretes to Success Quality Circle Program In order to start a successful quality circle program you should understand the secrets of a successful program. Some of the important aspects are listed here. Establish a suitable atmosphere Obtain commitment from people and right area. Select the right people and right area. Select objectives Expose people to the program Inform and communicate Keep the program voluntary Training is crucial Start slowly, grow slowly Be open and positive

7. Structure for effective function Why a structure? A structure is a pre-requisite for performance. For any structure to be meaningful, it should first start with the top management’s policies, which should be laid down and linked to the organizations objectives and goals. The next step is to workout strategies to achieve them through structure and systems and spelling out roles for a concerted effort to accomplish results. Policies: intention of the management(decision) Objectives: specific goals to be achieved Strategies: the approach, the plans, the directions Structure : A supporting framework of an organization(means) System: A well formulated set of procedures for coordinated action

8. Structure Generally recommended structure by QCFI is as per the diagram shown below. Organizations can modify it to suit their convenience as long as the principle behind it is kept intact.

9. Roles and functions of the constituents Most of the quality circle functions are considered the normal works of the company and should be carried out through normal channels of the organization. There are more advantages to working with the same people under the same chain of command than to creating new positions or a new department. Management, as well as shop people get involved in different segments of the program and play different roles in the project. Let us review each elements in this structure in detail.

10. 1.Top management Top management comprises the chairman, managing director, functional/directors and other directors on the board. It lays down policy incorporating Quality circles as an integral part of TQC function. It is responsible for the implementation of the policy, laying guidelines and reviewing the policy implementation and results thereof. It also spells out strategies and systems for the achievement of results.

11. 2.Executive Committee The Executive committee is in actually the top management of the company which establishes and approves quality circle policies and programs. The executive committee also gives the approval to start the program and offer basic guide lines so that quality circles can operate within the company’s administrative policy. Once the executive committee approves the program quality circle policy should be established. So that guidelines should be set for the rest of the organization.

12. 3. Steering committee A steering committee is a monitoring group headed by the head of the organization, to guide ,review and improves the functioning of quality circles. Through periodic and regular reviews, the committee makes the functional heads accountable for the ‘quality circles’ healthy functioning in their area. Functional heads, in turn, would make the facilities accountable.

13. 4. co- ordinator Co- ordinator is generally responsible for the activities of quality circle. Co- ordinator helpful in expanding the QC activities a little faster without affecting in the enthusiasm. Co- ordinator can be selected from any of the department in the organization.

14. 5.Facilitator He/she is a nominated manager of an area and he/she ought to catalyze and stimulate the quality circles. His/her role is that of a parent, caring for children. Even without quality circle , a manager’s role is to develop the people working with him/her and enable them to achieve and give them the pride of achievement .he/she should be a role model and a value shaper. The facilitator could be rotated once in 2 years, or as may be deemed fit by the organizations

15. 6.Duties of the facilitator Sits an active member of the steering committee Serves as quality circle program coordinator Trains members,leaders,management Coordinate circles Maintains circle records Arranges meeting with outsiders Attends in circle meetings Solves personal problems Search for new members Publicizes the program Spreads a good word about the program Works in the shop daily Search for new ideas Links all people in the organization Prepare for presentation-invitations, papers, visuals aids Prepares new training material Follows upon completed projects Attend conferences Reads outside materials Organizes informal gatherings-invites outside speakers.

16. 8.leader/Deputy leader 9.Quality circle leader’s functions Generate enthusiasm for activities Take care of operation of circle Meet with the circle once a week Use facilitator for assistance Be responsible for circle records Create coordination and harmony in the circle Be key link between members and management Attend leadership training Work closely with the foreman Seek advice and help if required Keep the meeting on track Enforce code of conduct Maintain a good attitude above circles Give assignments Start and end meeting for the circle Help to get new members for the circle Promote quality circle program Visit other companies Attend quality programs Teach others useful material to better the society and surroundings.

17. 10.Quality circle member Quality circle members are the back bone of the program and their active participation makes the quality circle program successful. Members of the quality circles are the heart of the program, and proper use of their untapped brain power is the key tom its success. Membership is strictly voluntary, and anyone who to join should be welcomed. 11.Demonstration 12.Communication

18. 13.training A team or a group will work like a well-oiled mach9ine if proper education and training are provided. A facilitator’s job is to provide guidance and harness the best from everyone of the group for the overall benefit of the circle as well as for the individuals. Accordingly he has to plan and carry out training sessions for the improvement and for enhancing the performance level of quality circles. The best way to involve members is by propping up the leader. The leader should be trained and guided so that he/she and his/her team members tackle their problems with confidence. The facilitator’s support and guidance should be continuous.

19. Effective team work Could be seen in how the total resources of the group are used to the maximum by the team. Is an outcome of the interactive behavior of the leader and the members Is seen in the satisfaction the members derive in task The blocks of effective teamwork are : Clear objective and agreed goals Openness and confrontation Support and trust Co-operation & conflict Sound procedure in decision making Leadership Learning from experience Establishing sound relationship Developing of QC member Problem solving method

20. Problem solving method “A problem is the undesirable result of a job”. The solution of problem is to improve the poor result to a reasonable level. The causes of the problem are investigated from the view point of the facts, and the cause and effect relationship is analyzed precisely. Counter measures to the problem are devised and implement to prevent the casual factors from recurring A problem is solved according to the following 12 steps:

21. Identification of problem Selection of problem Defined the problem Analyze the problem Identification of causes Finding out the root causes Data analysis Developing solution Foreseeing probable resistance Trail implementation and check performance Regular implementation Follow up and review

22. Guidance for participating QC circle’s presentations Determine the speaker(s) Select his assistant(s) Presentation of illustrative materials for the presentation OVER HEAD PROJECTOR, SLIDE PROJECTOR, DATA PROJECTOR, WALL CHARTS, VIDEO. A typical order of presentation is given below: Introduction of the shop and Circle Reasons why the theme was selected Target setting What is the target? by what time the target was achieved? How the target was achieved?

23. d. Grasping the status Quo Gathering past data Statistical treatment e. Analysis of cause & effect Diagram (Ishikawa) Implement of counter measures What kind of counter measures were taken? what were the results? g. Confirmation of effects comparison of (c) & (d) was the target achieved? h. Recurrence presentation standardization and facility improvement i . Future problems what are they? How to solve them?

24. conclusion Quality circle is a voluntary group of employees who study and discuss the work related problems and contribute better results for the organization. The ultimate aim of these QC’s is to built people and develops them in order to create interest and dedication to their work to improve quality, productivity, cost reduction and the quality of work life.

25. reference The quality hand book-Donald L. Dewar Quality circles master guide- sud Ingle study material of TELK Quality circle A book of “ continues improvement”

26. Thanks everyone….. Jefin Joseph