Quality Circles

Quality Circle
A quality circle is a volunteer group composed of workers usually under the leadership of their supervisor who are trained to identify, analyze and solve work-related problems and present their solutions to management in order to improve the performance of the organization, and motivate and enrich the work of employees.

History
Quality circles were first established in Japan in 1962; Kaoru Ishikawa has been credited with their creation. The movement in Japan was coordinated by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE). The first circles were established at the Nippon Wireless and Telegraph Company

Objectives
a) Change in Attitude. Continuous improvement in quality of work life through humanization of work. b) Self Development Bring out Hidden Potential of people Hidden Potential People get to learn additional skills. c) Development of Team Spirit Individual Vs Team "I could not do but we did it" Eliminate inter departmental conflicts. d) Improved Organizational Culture Positive working environment. Higher motivational level

Attributes
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.

Structure
Steering Committee Coordinator Facilitator Circle Leader Circle Members

Launching
Expose middle level executives to the concept. Explain the concept to the employees & invite them to volunteer as members of Quality Circle. Nominate senior officers as facilitators. Form a steering committee. Arrange training of coordinators, facilitators in basics of quality circle approach, implementation techniques & operation. Later facilitator may provide training to circle leaders & circle members. A meeting should be fixed preferably one hour a week for the quality circle to meet. Formally inaugurate the quality circle. Arrange the necessary facilities for the quality circle meeting & its operation.

Steps
1 Problem identification: Identify 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 analyzed by basic problem solving methods. 4 Generate alternative solutions : Identify and evaluate causes and generate number of possible alternative solutions.

Steps
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 for approval. 8. Implementation of solution : The management evaluates the recommended solution. Then it is tested and if successful, implemented on a full scale.

Student Quality Circles

Student quality circles work on the original philosophy of Total Quality Management. The idea of SQCs was presented by City Montessori School (CMS) Lucknow India at a conference in Hong Kong in October 1994. It was developed and mentored by duo engineers of Indian Railways PC Bihari and Swami Das in association with Principal Dr. Kamran of CMS Lucknow India. Adopted by different Educational Institutions across the world Supported by Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) in various educational institutions

Student Quality Circles at CUIM

Staff room layout placed at both the entries which will reduce the searching time to the students

Student Quality Circles at CUIM Implementing a proper system in cafeteria and gourmet to reduce over crowd during peak hours

Student Quality Circles at CUIM

Visual Management system in class rooms to indicate relevant switches to the fans and tube lights Checklists in washrooms Improving parking facilities Reducing newspaper wastage through proper management

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