It gives u about Quality Circle

1. QUALITY CIRCLE
Other Names
Small groups, Action circles,
Excellence circles, Human
circles, Productivity Circles

2. DEFINITION - QC
A small, voluntary group of
employees and their supervisor(s),
comprising a team of about 6 to 10
members from within same work
area or doing similar works, that
meet regularly to solve problems
relating to their job or workplace

3. MEANING - QC
A QC is a small group of people who
meet together on a regular basis to
identify, analyse and solve quality, cost
reduction or any other problem in their
work area, leading to improvement in
their total performance and enrichment
of their work life

4. QC CONCEPTS
Form of Participation Management
A HRD Technique
A Problem Solving Technique

5. OBJECTIVES OF QC
 To promote job involvement
 To create problem solving capability
 To improve communication
 To promote leadership qualities
 To promote personal development
 To develop a greater awareness for
cleanliness
 To develop greater awareness for safety
 To improve morale through closer identity of
employee objectives with organisation’s
objectives

6. OBJECTIVES OF QC (CONTD.,)
 To reduce errors
 To enhance quality
 To inspire more effective teamwork
 To build an attitude of problem prevention
 To promote cost reduction
 To develop harmonious manager, supervisor
and worker relationship
 To improve productivity
 To reduce downtime of machines and
equipment
 To increase employee motivation

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITY CIRCLES
 The optimum number of any QC is between 6 –
10
 The QC should have a homogeneous group
where participation members must be from within
the same department or work area
 The participation of QC members should be
voluntary. No compulsion or pressure is to be
brought on employees to join or not to join the
QC
 The members of QC should meet regularly once
in a week for an hour after their working hours or
during working hours to discuss the problems
related to their work and find solutions to the
problems

8. CHARACTERISTICS (CONTD.,)
 QC address 2 types of problems
 Those concerned with the well-being of the
company (such as quality and productivity related
problems)
 Those concerned with the personal well-being of
the worker (such as working conditions, safety,
work relations, housekeeping etc.,)
 The member of QC should be trained in statistical
and other problem-solving tools so that they can
identify, analyse and resolve work-related
problems
 Training and QC activities must be carried out on
company time
 Final recommendations of the QC must be
acceptable to the management before they are

9. STRUCTURE OF QC

10. ELEMENTS OF QC
 Top management
 Coordinator
 Steering committee
 Facilitator
 Leader
 Members
 Non-members

11. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF
MEMBERS OF QC STRUCTURES

12. QC MEMBERS
 Attend all possible meetings
 Offer views, opinions and ideas freely and
voluntarily in problem solving
 Participate actively in the group process
 Contribute to find solutions to the problems
 Contribute to implement solutions
 Attend training seriously with a receptive
attitude
 Assist leader/deputy leader in circle activities

13. QC LEADER
 Conducts meetings regularly
 Moderates in meeting
 Involves all the members
 Keeps the cohesiveness of the group
 Makes the necessary facilities for enabling QC to perform without
constraints
 Takes the team towards the goal
 Takes care of:
i) Task behaviour of the group
ii) Team maintenance
iii)Disruptive or negative behavior to the management
 Presents solutions/suggestions to the management
 Keeps the circles informed on the status of previously submitted
suggestions
 Trains the members in various problem solving techniques

14. FACILITATOR
 Coordinates the work of several Qc through
leaders
 Serves as a resource for the circle
 Works closely with steering committee
 Trains members by assisting leaders whenever
required
 Arranges management presentations of his circles
 Coordinates and monitors all activities
 Maintains circle records
 Evaluates circle activities
 Encourages, pats and functions as a cheer leader
 Publicizes the circle activities

15. STEERING COMMITTEE
 Meets regularly once in 2 or 3 months
 Takes an overview of the operation of QCs in the organisation as
a whole
 Takes important decisions at the organisational level
 Gives guidelines and directions
 Provides resources – space, time, training facilities, finance (if
required)
 Attends management presentations and get-to-gethers
 Reviews periodically the progress
 Ensures adequate training opportunities to the facilitator(s),
leaders and members
 Recognizes the contributions of the facilitator(s), leaders and
members

16. COORDINATOR
 Registers the circle
 Interacts with all
 Convenes steering committee meetings
 Maintains records, organizes systematic
documentation
 Arranges management presentation
 Organises various training programmes,
including exposure programme
 Arranges presentation of case studies in sister
units

17. COORDINATOR (CONTD.,)
 Publish periodicals
 Organises six monthly, annual conventions,
develops facilities for the programmes
 Arranges periodical survey
 Helps in deputing people for seminar,
convention, outside convention, presentation
etc.,
 Prepares a budget for the functioning of QC
 Helps in solving problems encountered in the
implementation of QC

18. HOW DO QC OPERATES?
 Appointment of a steering committee, facilitator
and quality circle team leaders
 Formation of quality circles by
nomination/voluntary enrolment of quality circle
members
 Training of all QC members (by an expert
consultant)
 Problem data bank and identification of problems
for quality circle work
 QC problem resolution by QC through
standardised techniques
 Presentation of QC solutions to management

19. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR QC
 Attend all meetings and be on time
 Listen to and show respect for the views fo other
members
 Make others feel a part of the group
 Criticize ideas, not persons
 Help other members to participate more fully
 Be open to and encourage the ideas of others
 Every members is responsible for the team’s
progress
 Maintain a friendly attitude
 Strive for enthusiasm
 Look for merit in the ideas of others

20. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR QC (CONTD)
 Pay attention and avoid disruptive behavior
 Avoid actions that delay progress
 Carry out assignments on schedule
 Give credit to those whom it is due
 Thank those who give assistance
 Do not suppress ideas, do express
 Objectives and causes first, solutions next
 Give credit to those whom it is due
 Give praise and honest appreciation when due
 Ideas generated by the group should not be used as
individual suggestions to suggestion scheme

21. PROCESS OF QC OPERATION
 Problem Identification
 Problem Selection
 Problem Analysis
 Generate alternative solutions
 Select the most appropriate solution
 Prepare plan of action
 Present solution to management
 Implementation of solution

22. TANGIBLE GAINS INTANGIBLE GAINS
 Better Quality
 Productivity improvement
 Higher safety
 Greater cost effectiveness
 Better Housekeeping
 Increased Profitability
 Waste reduction
 Reduced absenteeism
 Reduced Grievances
GAINS OF QC
 Enriched quality of work life
 Attitudinal changes
 Harmony, mutual trust
 Effective team working
 Better human relations
 Participative culture
 HRD
 Promotion of Job
knowledge
 Greater sense of belonging

23. LIMITATIONS OF QC
Participation is not always
voluntary in all cases
Participation fades away if it
lacks the top management’s
support
No involvement of Trade Union