Quantity Circle

 Quantity Circle is a group of workmen working in same department or performing similar job. Quality circle have maximum of 5-6 workmen which is lead by facilitator who can be a supervisor or a manager. The main role of quality circle team is to find out the basic problems and solve them this problem can be related to production and quality improvement and safety related issues. The motto of quality circle is to increase awareness of workmen about the quality and solve the basic problem at their own level by this they feel very encouraged and moral of the operators will also increase.

The position at Quality Circle teams and their responsibility are as follows:

QC Admin or QC coordinator is at top most position for Quality Circle teams, his/her main role is to coordinate with all teams of quality circle and check their progress and boost them with positive energy. Coordinator also coordinate with QC forums and held presentation of his/her team and make all arrangements so that team can give presentation in front of different forums.

 Facilitator help team how to approach the problem and solve it. As workmen is not so familiar with the computer so facilitator help them to make their presentation, so that team can show their work to the management or competition held by different government organisations. Facilitator give training to the team about quality circle and 7QC tools used in quality circle to solve the problem.

There is leader of team who is among the workmen, who's prime responsibility is to coordinate with team members and organise meeting. Team members meet in company, in their duty time and discuss about the problem and how to solve it.

Under leader there are 5-6 members of same department, if the size of company is small then members can be from different departments. 

Concept of quality circle started in Japan in the year 1962 in Nippon wireless and telegraph company. Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa  is known as Father of Quality Circle. 

To solve any project in Quality Circle is done with the help of 12 Steps:

1. Identification & Categorisation of Problems

2. Selection of the Problems 

3. Define the Problem 

4. Analysis of the Problem 

5. Identification of the causes 

6. Finding the root causes 

7. Data Analysis 

8. Developing Solution 

9. Foreseeing probable Resistance 

10. Trial Implementation / checking the results 

11. Implementation 

12. Follow – up- Review

1. Identification & Categorisation of problems: 

In this step team sit together and do brainstorming to find different problems Categorisation of Problems, Quality Circle members are advised to categories the problems generated as: ‘A’ : Minimum involvement of other departments needed in solving them. ‘B’ : Involvement of other department is a necessity. ‘C’ : Management sanction may be needed in implementing the solution. After this rating method is done for problems categories in A type. Most rated problem should be considered for the project.

2. Selection of Problems: 

Selection of problem can be done, 

• Based on data 

• Using weightage basis

• Using group consensus method or any other acceptable system. 

Best way of selecting a problem is based on data. Brain Storming, Data Collection, Pareto Analysis and Flow Diagram and Graphs are used.

3. Define the Problem:

Quality Circle activity is a group activity and one should get synergistic effect through that. They call for effective contribution from all participants. Participants can contribute only when there is clarity about the problem. Such clarity can be achieved with the help of Flow Diagram and also carrying out Brainstorming. This is the stage in which Quality Circle will have to work out the action plan, setting up a target of achievement and also time needed to carry out the entire task. 

4. Analysis of the Problem: 

For this step Quality Circle team should collect further data, study the flow diagram, stratify available data, prepare graph. Brainstorming also need to be done.

5. Identification of Causes: 

Quality Circle team should cause and effect diagram diagram after this proper validation of all possible causes should be done, if possible validation should be data based. 

6. Finding the Root Causes: 

After finding the main cause or causes after validation of different possible causes done in previous stage, Why-why analysis should done so that proper root cause can be found.  Here we can find the root cause of the issue and find the solutions.

7. Data Analysis: 

This is the step for confirming of one’s finding before proceeding for finding out the solution. Pareto Diagram, Stratification, Graphs, Scatter Diagram, Histogram and Control Charts are very useful here. Use of them depends upon the type of Quality Circle project.

8. Developing the Solution: 

Brainstorming should be done before finalizing the solution, solution should be based on data alaysis done at previous step. Graphs and scattered diagram can be made for better understanding of the data.

9. Foreseeing Probable Resistance: 

As changes are not easily acceptable to the people. Brain Storming should done to find out ways to over come the resistance is needed here. 

10. Trial Implementation: 

Before going for final implementation of the solution first do trial implementation. On the basis of trial implementation the effectiveness of the solution can be analysed and if required changes can be done accordingly.

11. Implementation: 

At this stage solution can be implemented and ensure that everyone is aware about the solution, if any changes is required in documents tha should done. Plan for horizontal development can be done. 

12. Follow up / Review: 

This is important phase of the Quality Circle project, based on follow up and review, team can analyse whether any further improvement is possible and also to ensure necessary measures are taken to hold the gain achieved. 

Gantt Chart or Milestone Chart need to be made at the start of project and at the end of the project team should validate chart how much team able to follow timeline.