2. INTRODUCTION
People are the greatest assets of an
organization, because, through people all other
resources are converted into utilities. However,
management of ‘People Resources’ has always been
a vexed problem ever since the beginning of
organized human activities.
QUALITY CIRCLE -A WAY TO
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
3. Quality Circle is a small group of 6 to 12 employees
doing similar work who voluntarily meet together
on a regular basis to identify improvements in their
respective work areas using various techniques for
analyzing and solving work related problems
coming in the way of achieving and sustaining
excellence leading to mutual upliftment of
employees as well as the organization.
DEFINITION
4. CHARACTERISTICS OF
QUALITY CIRCLE
• QUALITY CIRCLE ARE SMALL PRIMARY GROUPS OF EMPLOYEE
WHOSE LOWER LIMIT IS THREE AND UPPER LIMIT TWELVE.
• THE MEMBERSHIP OF QUALITY CIRCLE IS MOST VOLUNTARY .
• EACH CIRCLE IS LEAD BY AREA SUPERVISOR .
• THE MEMBER MEET REGULARLY EVERY WEEK OR ACCORDING TO
AN AGREED SCHEDULE.
• THE CIRCLE MEMBERS ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED IN TECHNIQUES OF
ANALYSIS AND PROBLEM SOLVING.
• THE BASIC ROLE OF CIRCLES TO IDENTIFY AND SOLVE WORK
RELATED PROBLEMS FOR IMPROVING QUALITYAND PRODUCTIVITY.
• QUALITY CIRCLE ENABLE THEIR MEMBER TO EXERCISE THEIR
HIDDEN TALENTS FOR TACKLING CHALLENGING TASKS.
5. Quality Circle concept has three major attributes:
Quality Circle is a form of participation
management.
Quality Circle is a human resource
development technique.
Quality Circle is a problem solving technique.
CONCEPT
6. The objectives of Quality Circles are multi-faced.
a) Change in Attitude.
From "I don’t care" to "I do care"
Continuous improvement in quality of work
life through humanization of work
b) Self Development
Bring out ‘Hidden Potential’ of people,
People get to learn additional skills.
c) Development of Team Spirit
Eliminate inter departmental conflicts.
d) Improved Organizational Culture
Positive working environment.
Higher motivational level.
OBJECTIVE
7. HOW DO QUALITY CIRCLES
WORK?
• ALL MEMBERS OF A CIRCLE NEED TO
RECEIVE TRAINING
• MEMBERS NEED TO BE EMPOWERED
• MEMBERS NEED TO HAVE THE SUPPORT
OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT
• CHARACTERISTICS
• VOLUNTEERS
• SET RULES AND PRIORITIES
• DECISIONS MADE BY CONSENSUS
• USE OF ORGANIZED APPROACHES TO PROBLEM-SOLVING
8. 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.
Co-ordinator: He may be a Personnel or
Administrative officer who co-ordinates and
supervises the work of the facilitators and
administers the program.
Who works for Quality
Circles?
9. .
Who works for Quality Circles?
Cont….
Circle leader : Circle leader may be from lowest
level supervisors. A circle leader organize and
conduct circle activities.
Circle members : They may be staff workers.
Without circle members the program cannot exist.
They are the lifeblood of quality circles.
11. LIMITATIONS:
• THE OVERALL PRODUCTIVITY MAY DECREASE
INITIALLY.
• A LARGE INVESTMENT AND TIME IS REQUIRED
FOR A CONCEPT THAT IS ESSENTIALLY NEW .
• THE CHANCES OF ERROR INCREASE INITIALLY .
• AFTER CIRCLE IMPLEMENTATION A PERIOD OF
CONFUSION MAY ARISE. THIS IS BECAUSE PEOPLE
EXPERIMENT WITH NEW IDEAS , NEW SKILL AND
NEW ROLE.
12. The following techniques are most commonly
used to analyze and solve work related
problems.
lBrain storming
lPareto analysis
l Cause & Effect Analysis
l Data Collection & Analysis
BASIC PROBLEM SOLVING
TECHNIQUES
13. Inadequate Training
Unsure of Purpose
Not truly Voluntary
Lack of Management Interest
Quality Circles are not really empowered to
make decisions
Problems with Quality Circles
