Quality Circle

Quality Circle

A quality circle is a group composed of regular

employees who meet together to discuss workplace

improvement, and make presentations to management with

their ideas. The concept was invented in the United States

and introduced in post-war Japan in the early 1950s.

The Philosophy of QCC is based on the concepts of Participative

management and Humanistic management.

Humanistic management refers to management that gives importance to

people and their feelings. This is because people are the most valuable asset of ‘a department.

Participative management means that worker regardless of his /

her position in the organisation is given the opportunity to make meaningful

contribution to the department .

QCC is, therefore a mechanism whereby workers are able to participate

in the problem-solving process leading to improvement of quality and

productivity in their department .

Philosophy of Quality Circle

History of Quality Circle Quality circles were first established in Japan in 1962, and

Kaoru Ishikawa has been credited with their creation.

The movement in Japan was coordinated by the Japanese

Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE).

The use of quality circles then spread beyond Japan.

Quality circles have been implemented even in educational

sectors in India and QCFI (Quality Circle Forum of India)

is promoting such activities.

Need of Quality Circle

The need for public and private businesses to improve quality of

services is no longer an option but a necessity. Since the early 1960’s

businesses across the Globe have been searching for ways to improve overall

operational efficiency.

This trend has been more heightened with the onset of free open trade

And Customers demanding so much more for their dollars.

Some organisations have successfully implemented the use of quality

circles as part of an ongoing improvement programme.Others have

experimented with quality circles with the best intentions and faced several

obstacle, but what is true is that this type of participatory management

brings several benefits to all concerned.

Objectives of Quality Circle

The objective of QCC is to improve and upgrade quality of work

through:

(a) The problem solving capability of the workers;

(b) Team work;

(c) The cultivation and assimilation of positive values and work ethics;

(d) Involvement and interest in work;

(e) High motivation for work; and

(f) Awareness of responsibility towards oneself, the group, the department / office and the nation.

Function of Quality Circle A 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.

The ideal size of a quality circle is from eight to ten members.

Structure of Quality Circle

Non Qc - Members

Members

Leader

Facilitator

Co-ordinator

Steering committee

Top Manageme

nt

Top Management

Steeringcommittee

Co-ordinator

Facilitator LeaderMembers

Non-members

Roles & Responsibilities

The success of the quality circles depends solely on the

attitude of the Top management and plays an important role to ensure

the success of implementation of quality circles in the organization.

Top Management

Steeringcommittee

Co-ordinator

Facilitator LeaderMembers

Non-members

Roles & Responsibilities

Steering committee called middle management consists of chief

executive heads of different divisions or a co-ordinator plays a

positive role in quality circles activities for the success of the

efforts. The meetings are conveyed at least once in one to two months

interaval.

Top Management

Steeringcommittee

Co-ordinator

Facilitator LeaderMembers

Non-members

Roles & Responsibilities

Co-ordinator also acts as facilitators is an individual responsible for

coordinating and directing the quality circles activities within an

organization and carries out such functions as would make the operations

of quality circles smooth, effective and self-sustainable.

Roles & Responsibilities Facilitator also acts as a catalyst, innovator, promoter and teacher and is

nominated by the management.

(i) Communicating with all levels of management andobtaining their support and assistance;

(ii) Providing training to QCC leaders and assisting intraining of QCC members where required;

(iii) Maintaining an open and supportive environment;

(iv) Ensuring QCC members direct their activities towork-related problems;

(v) As a mediator in problem-solving;

(vi) As a resource person to the Circle; and

(vii) Evaluating the costs and benefits of the QCC programmeand reporting to the Management.

Roles & Responsibilities Leader of the quality circles is chosen by the members among themselves and they may decide to have a leader by rotation since the members are the basic elements of the structure of quality circle. (i) Training members on problems-solving techniques withthe assistance of the facilitator where required;

(ii) Responsible for the smooth operation of QCC activitiesand fostering the spirit of cooperation and harmonyamong members;

(iii) Assisting the Circle members in record keeping and inthe preparation of management presentations;

(iv) Conducting meetings in an orderly and effective manner;

(v) Showing interest and support to the Circle;

(vi) Encouraging other workers to become members;

(vii) Assisting members in problem-solving; and

(viii) Enforcing team discipline.

Roles & Responsibilities Members of the quality circles are the small group of people from the

same work area or doing similar type of work whereas non-members are

those who are not members of the quality circle but may be involved in

the circle recommendation.

(i) Attending meetings regularly;

(ii) Directing their efforts towards solving work-related problems;

(iii) Identifying problems, contributing ideas, undertaking research and

investigation (where necessary) and assisting the QCC in problem-solving. (iv) Participating in management presentations.