Quality circles are small groups of 6-12 employees that voluntarily meet regularly to identify improvements in their work area. They use proven techniques to analyze and solve work-related problems in order to achieve excellence and mutually uplift employees and the organization. Quality circles involve participation management, human resource development, and problem solving. They aim to change attitudes, develop self and team skills, improve organizational culture, and involve people at all levels through participation management. Quality circles have a structure including a steering committee, coordinator, facilitator, circle leader, and members. They follow steps like problem identification, selection, analysis, solution generation, selection of the best solution, action planning, and implementation. Basic problem solving techniques include brainstorming, Pareto

1. Quality CirclePresented by;Maricriz B.Badana

2. What is Quality CircleQuality 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 proven techniques for analysing and solving work related problems coming in the way of achieving and sustaining excellence leading to mutual upliftment of employees as well as the organisation. It is "a way of capturing the creative and innovative power that lies within the work force".

3. 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.

4. ObjectivesThe 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 humanisation of work.b) Self DevelopmentBring out ‘Hidden Potential’ of peoplePeople get to learn additional skills.c) Development of Team SpiritIndividual Vs Team – "I could not do but we did it"Eliminate inter departmental conflicts.d) Improved Organisational CulturePositive working environment.Total involvement of people at all levels.Higher motivational level.Participate Management process.

5. Structure of quality circleThe structure of a Quality Circle consists of the following elements.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. It establishes policy, plans and directs the program and meets usually once in a month. Co-ordinator: He may be a Personnel or Administrative officer who co-ordinates and supervises the work of the facilitators and administers the programme. Facilitator: He may be a senior supervisory officer. He co-ordiates the works of several quality circles through the Circle leaders. Circle leader: Leaders may be from lowest level workers or Supervisors. A Circle leader organises and conducts Circle activities. Circle members : They may be staff workers. Without circle members the porgramme cannot exist. They are the lifeblood of quality circles.

6. The operation of quality circles involves a set of sequential steps as under:1 Problem identification: Identify a number of problems.2 Problem selection : Decide the priority and select the problem to be taken up first.3 Problem Analysis : Problem is clarified and analysed by basic problem solving methods.4 Generate alternative solutions : Identify and evaluate causes and generate number of possible alternative solutions.5 Select the most appropriate solution : Discuss and evaluate the alternative solutions by comparison in terms of investment and return from the investment. This enables to select the most appropriate solution.6 Prepare plan of action : Prepare plan of action for converting the solution into reality which includes the considerations "who, what, when, where, why and how" of solving problems.7 Present solution to management circle members present solution to management fore approval.8. Implementation of solution : The management evaluates the recommended solution. Then it is tested and if successful, implemented on a full scale.

7. Each group should know beforehand the commitments and implications involved as well as the benefit that can be obtained from Quality Circles. Such training comprises of :Brief orientation programme for top management.Programme for middle level executives.Training of facilitators.Training for Circle leaders and members.

8. The operation of quality circleThe operation of quality circles involves a set of sequential steps as under:1 Problem identification: Identify a number of problems.2 Problem selection : Decide the priority and select the problem to be taken up first.3 Problem Analysis : Problem is clarified and analysed by basic problem solving methods.4 Generate alternative solutions : Identify and evaluate causes and generate number of possible alternative solutions.5 Select the most appropriate solution : Discuss and evaluate the alternative solutions by comparison in terms of investment and return from the investment. This enables to select the most appropriate solution.6 Prepare plan of action : Prepare plan of action for converting the solution into reality which includes the considerations "who, what, when, where, why and how" of solving problems.7 Present solution to management circle members present solution to management fore approval.8. Implementation of solution : The management evaluates the recommended solution. Then it is tested and if successful, implemented on a full scale.

9. Basic Problem solving TechniquesThe following techniques are most commonly used to analyse and solve work related problems.1 Brain storming2 Pareto Diagrams3 Cause & Effect Analysis4 Data Collection5 Data Analysis

10. Quality Circles are not limited to manufacturing firms only. They are applicable for variety of organisations where there is scope for group based solution of work related problems. Quality Circles are relevant for factories, firms, schools, hospitals, universities, research institutes, banks, government offices etc. The P.W.D. of Maharashtra has set an example for the Government organisations marching on the path of Quality Improvement.