A quality circle is a small group of 3 to 12 voluntary employees who meet regularly to address workplace issues pertaining to quality, productivity, and safety under the guidance of a supervisor. Successful implementation involves publicizing the concept, forming consistent teams, problem-solving collaboratively, and presenting solutions to management for approval. Examples include Toyota and Lockheed Martin, along with various quality circle initiatives launched in India since the 1980s.

1. Quality Circle
By Manas Dhibar

2. Quality Circle
Dewar, President of the International Association of QC’s defines QC’s as “a
way of capturing the creative and innovative power that lies within the
workforce”.
A quality circle is a small group of volunteers (usually 3 to 12 employees) doing
similar work.
They meet regularly under the leadership of their immediate supervisor, or
someone chosen among the circle to identify the problems, set priorities,
discover causes & purpose solutions.
These may concern quality, productivity, safety, job structure, process flow,
control mechanism, aesthetics of the work area etc.

3. Functions of Quality Circle
• Like any other organisational change , QC being a new concept may be opposed by the
employees.
• Therefore, QC should be developed and introduced with great concerns and
perception a discussed below:-
1. Publicising the Idea:-
Introduction of QC is just like an organisational change programme Hence, like an
organisational change programme, the workers need to be convinced about the need for
and significance of QC from the points of view of the workers and the organisation.
2. Constitution of QC:-
Workers doing the same or similar type of work are drawn voluntarily to form quality
circle. The membership of a QC is generally restricted to eight to ten. Once a QC is
formed, they remain as permanent members of the circle unless they leave that work
area.

4. 3. Initial Problem Solving:-
The members of QC should discuss the problem at threadbare and, then, prepare a list of
alternative solutions. Thereafter, each alternative solution should be evaluated and the
final solution should be arrived at on the basis of consensus.
4. Presentation and approval of suggestions:-
The final solution arrived at should be presented to the management either in oral or in
written form. The management may evaluate the solution by constituting a committee for
this purpose. The committee may also meet the members of the quality circle for
clarifications, if required.
5. Implementation:-
Once the suggestion or solution is approved by the management, the same is being put into
practice in a particular workplace. Quality circles may be organized gradually for other
workplaces or departments also.

5. Examples of Quality Circle
• The first quality circle was organised in 1962, by Japan Nippon Telegraph
Company.
• Many companies today use quality circles, especially when it comes to
manufacturing. The most well-known example would be Toyota, which helped to
pioneer the concept decades ago. These circles continue to meet on a regular
basis to identify potential problems and get them resolved as efficiently as
possible.
• Another example would be Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin began using
quality circles in their manufacturing facilities back in 1974. Executives from
this company learned of quality circles when visiting Japanese manufacturing
plants, and saw how beneficial they could be.
• Soon after Lockheed Martin, a number of other US companies added them to
their workplaces, including GM, Northrop, and Westinghouse.

6. Quality Circle in Coil Shop In Zamil Air
Conditioners
In Coil shop Quality Circle successfully started on 30th March
2013.
• Total 13 team formed on 24th March 2013.
• Booklet and training provided 8th April 2013.
• Currently successfully continuing the Improve phase

8. Examples of quality circle movements in
India
• BHEL – 1980 – Mr S R Udapa (GM Operations) 1st indian to start quality
circle.
• Hero honda motors “ sunrise quality circle”
• Lucas TVS, Chennai “ honey bee quality circle”.
• Tata refactories (located in Orissa) “ Niharika Quality Circle” (saved Rs
4,000 Pa)
• Kudhremukh – iron ore plant (locatetd in Karnataka) “Soor thy Quality
Circle”.

9. THANK
YOU