IntroductionProfessor 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.

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.

Basic Ideas Behind Quality

Circle ActivitiesQuality circle activity is carried out as a part of company-

wide quality control activities in order to:

a) Contribute to the development and improvement of the

corporate culture and the company’s improvement.

b) Create cheerful work places that make life worthwhile

and where humanity is respected.

c) Display human capabilities fully and eventually draw out

limitless potentials.

Quality circles ObjectivesThere 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:

1. Self development

2. Mutual development

3. Improvement in quality

4. Improvement in communication and studies

5. waste reduction

6. Job satisfaction

7. Cost reduction

8. Improvement in productivity

9. Safety improvement

10. problem solving opportunities

11. Team building

12. Link all levels of management and workers together to achieve success

13. Get people more involvement and interest in their work

14. Improve participation

15. Reduce absenteeism and grievances

Secretes to Success Quality

Circle ProgramIn 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.

1. Establish a suitable atmosphere

2. Obtain commitment from people and right area.

3. Select the right people and right area.

4. Select objectives

5. Expose people to the program

6. Inform and communicate

7. Keep the program voluntary

8. Training is crucial

9. Start slowly, grow slowly

10. Be open and positive

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.

1. Policies: intention of the management(decision)

2. Objectives: specific goals to be achieved

3. Strategies: the approach, the plans, the directions

4. Structure : A supporting framework of an organization(means)

5. System: A well formulated set of procedures for coordinated

action

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

5.Facilitator

He/she is a nominated manager of an area and he/sheought to catalyze and stimulate the quality circles. His/herrole is that of a parent, caring for children. Even withoutquality circle , a manager’s role is to develop the peopleworking with him/her and enable them to achieve and givethem the pride of achievement .he/she should be a rolemodel and a value shaper. The facilitator could be rotatedonce in 2 years, or as may be deemed fit by theorganizations

6.Duties of the facilitator

1. Sits an active member of the

steering committee

2. Serves as quality circle program

coordinator

3. Trains

members,leaders,management

4. Coordinate circles

5. Maintains circle records

6. Arranges meeting with outsiders

7. Attends in circle meetings

8. Solves personal problems

9. Search for new members

10. Publicizes the program

11. Spreads a good word about the

program

12. Works in the shop daily

13. Search for new ideas

14. Links all people in the

organization

15. Prepare for presentation-

invitations, papers, visuals aids

16. Prepares new training material

17. Follows upon completed

projects

18. Attend conferences

19. Reads outside materials

20. Organizes informal gatherings-

invites outside speakers.

8.leader/Deputy leader

9.Quality circle leader’s functions1. Generate enthusiasm for

activities

2. Take care of operation of circle

3. Meet with the circle once a week

4. Use facilitator for assistance

5. Be responsible for circle records

6. Create coordination and

harmony in the circle

7. Be key link between members

and management

8. Attend leadership training

9. Work closely with the foreman

10. Seek advice and help if required

11. Keep the meeting on track

12. Enforce code of conduct

13. Maintain a good attitude above

circles

14. Give assignments

15. Start and end meeting for the

circle

16. Help to get new members for

the circle

17. Promote quality circle program

18. Visit other companies

19. Attend quality programs

20. Teach others useful material to

better the society and

surroundings.

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

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.

Effective team worki. Could be seen in how the

total resources of the group are used to the maximum

by the team.

i. Is an outcome of the interactive behavior of the leader and the members

ii. Is seen in the satisfaction the members derive in task

The blocks of effective

teamwork are:

1. Clear objective and agreed goals

2. Openness and confrontation

3. Support and trust

4. Co-operation & conflict

5. Sound procedure in decision making

6. Leadership

7. Learning from experience

8. Establishing sound relationship

9. Developing of QC member

10. Problem solving method

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:

1. Identification of problem

2. Selection of problem

3. Defined the problem

4. Analyze the problem

5. Identification of causes

6. Finding out the root causes

7. Data analysis

8. Developing solution

9. Foreseeing probable resistance

10. Trail implementation and check performance

11. Regular implementation

12. Follow up and review

Guidance for participating QC

circle’s presentations

1. Determine the speaker(s)

2. Select his assistant(s)

3. Presentation of illustrative materials for the

presentation OVER HEAD PROJECTOR, SLIDE

PROJECTOR, DATA PROJECTOR, WALL CHARTS, VIDEO.

4. A typical order of presentation is given below:

a. Introduction of the shop and Circle

b. Reasons why the theme was selected

c. Target setting

What is the target?

by what time the target was achieved?

How the target was achieved?

d. Grasping the status Quo

Gathering past data

Statistical treatment

e. Analysis of cause &

effect Diagram (Ishikawa)

f. 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?

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.

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”

Thanks everyone…..

Jefin Joseph