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Thursday, September 06, 2007

What are the EIGHT QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES?

Friends,

Describing herewith EIGHT QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES :

01. CUSTOMER FOCUS : Organizations depend on their customers, and therefore need to identify and understand their present and future needs in order to be able to meet the customer's requirements and, indeed, to strive to exceed them.

02. LEADERSHIP : Management is not an administration activity; leadership is needed to provide unity of purpose and direction, and to create an environment in which people in the organization become fully involved in achieving the organization's objectives.

03. INVOLVEMENT OF PEOPLE : People's co-operation and involvement allows for their abilities to be fully and effectively used for the organization's benefit.

04. PROCESS APPROACH : In order for the results to be achieved efficiently the resources and activities need to be managed as processes.

05. SYSTEM APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT : Identifying, understanding and managing a system of interrelated processes for achieving objectives contributes to effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

06. CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT : It is a permanent objective of an organization.

07. FACTUAL APPROACH TO DECISION MAKING : Effective decisions are based on the logical and non rational analysis of data and factual information.

08. MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP : Such a relation between the organization and its suppliers will enhance the ability of both organizations to create value.

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What is QUALITY MANAGEMENT ?

Dear friends,

Before going towards QUALITY MANAGEMENT we have to clear one thing here; i.e. nothing but What is the MANAGEMENT of an organization?

In simple words, MANAGEMENT is about organizing, controlling and directing resources for achieving objectives. QUALITY MANAGEMENT is not a stand-alone activity, it is a part of the overall management.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT (ISO 9000:2000) is defined as :

"co-ordinated activities to direct and control an organization with regards to quality"

The QUALITY MANAGEMENT is indivisible from the overall management function. It does not need to be underlined therefore that the quality system has to be threaded into the fabric of the overall management system.

When we talk about about MANAGEMENT we talk about LEADERSHIP. Effective leadership is not an easy task, and it requires all-inclusive knowledge of the theory of management, psychology (the science of mental life), sociology (the study and classification of human societies), anthropology (the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings), etc.

With regret there are too many managers, who believe in managing by the stick. It is a rude and very ineffective approach path.

In the 6th Century BC the CHINESE PHILOSOPHER - LAO TSE Said :

"There are the leaders who are loved and the leaders that are feared by their people, but the best leaders are those, whose existence people do not even suspect. When the best leader finishes his task, people say : we did it all ourselves."

In fact, effective leadership can only be based on assuring people's participation. It requires communicating and motivating people to act as is desired by the management. The management needs first of all to communicate, to explain to the people the goals and objectives of the organization. Staff will only participate if they understand these management policies. You certainly can not expect co-operation from the people who do not understand what's going on. It is a simple truth but so often forgotten.

Effective motivation of people for desired behavior requires deep knowledge of psychology and an understanding of human needs. It is providing individuals and groups with the opportunity to satisfy their needs whilst behaving and performing in a desired manner that motivates for the desired performance. And it is not only about extra money. Factors such as appreciation, pride, self-esteem are much more powerful than a sum of money.

Guys, what you say ???

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Monday, July 16, 2007

What is QUALITY and GRADE?

Every time QUALITY is very often confused with GRADE.

It is because people very often confuse QUALITY with such aspects as expensiveness, luxury etc. If you compare an expensive, top of the range "MONT BLANC PEN" and the disposable "BIC PEN", many people would say that the "MONT BLANC PEN" is of a better quality. It is a firm belief of many people that "MERCEDES" is a high quality vehicle, which is probably true, but in many countries such belief is so wrong, that people, without thinking say: "MERCEDES IS HIGHER QUALITY THAN TOYOTA".

If you look critically, ask yourself the question "What is the purpose of these two pens or these two cars?" Pens are for writing and cars are there to take you from X to Y. So the functional use is the same. Now, is an expensive "MONT BLANC PEN" suitable for foreman or a lead hand in a heavy production environment? Certainly not, it can easily get damaged, You can drop a BIC PEN on a concrete floor and nothing will happen, it will most likely still be fit for the same. The result may be disastrous. "MONT BLANC" is probably better suited for office staff, especially those, who want to impress their customers with how well off the company is. You may now see that, although these two products top of the range "MERCEDES" will be suitable for those, who look for luxury and a "STATUS" car. Most people cannot however afford such a car and therefore it is unable to meet their needs. On the contrary the "TOYOTA COROLLA" is an affordable means of transportation, offering a reasonable level of safety and comfort. You may know that in the statistics run by specialized, "GERMAN MOTOR JOURNALS", the COROLLA is ranked at the top of the list as far as reliability is concerned.

A similar comparison may be made when considering HOTELS. FIVE STAR HOTELS are often considered to be of the highest quality, but those, who have travelled a lot, know better than that. It is very often the case that you receive a superior quality or service in small countryside establishments ranked as TWO or THREE STAR, where the service will often have that special personal touch. Stars, if you know the system, are awarded for the services and facilities available (like laundry, beauty parlour, barber, gymnasium, sauna, jacuzzi, swimming pool, number of restaurants, bars, etc.), but do not tell you the quality of service really. You can get lousy service in a FIVE STAR HOTEL on occasions.

What differs between these two PENS, CARS and HOTELS is the grade?

ISO 9001:2000 defines GRADE as :

"category or rank given to different quality requirements for products, processes or systems having the same functional use"

Grade reflects a planned or international difference in the requirements for quality. It emphasizes the functional use and cost relationship.

GRADE is inherent in the product, whereas QUALITY is dependent upon how well the product satisfies the needs.

GRADE can be altered by changes in specification.

QUALITY is now often defined as TOTAL CONFORMANCE TO THE REQUIREMENTS; these requirements are total customer requirements and organization requirements, not just conformance to product specification. This far-reaching application of quality to every activity has taken many years to develop and is no long way from where it begun.

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Saturday, March 03, 2007

Four Absolutes of Quality Management

01. Quality is defined as conformance to requirements, not as goodness.

02. The system for causing quality is prevention, not appraisal.

03. The performance standard must be zero defects, not that's close enough.

04. The measurement of quality is the price of nonconformance, not indexes.

Related Links :

01. Do You Know About QCFI?
02. QCFI and its Contribution to Quality Circle Movement In INDIA
03. Dr. K. Ishikawa : Founder of Quality Circle
04. History of Early 1950's
05. Services Offered By QCFI
06. Tips to Deal With Interruptions
07. Tips to give Good Feedback
08. Benefits of ISO 9001 : 2000 Quality Management System
09. Debatable Points Related to ISO 9001 : 2000 Quality Management System
10. Re-Defined : Quality
11. Job Titles in Quality Field

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Job Titles in Quality Field

01. Director :
Coordinates all aspects of the organization's QA/QC program, such as developing and administering the program, training and coaching employees, and facilitating change throughout the organization. Responsible for establishing strategic plans, policies and procedures at all levels to ensure the QA / QC program will meet or internal and external customer's needs and expectations.

02. Vice President :
Establishes the direction for the development and administration for the organization's QA / QC programs. Consults with peers on the attitudes and practices of quality throughout the organization to develop an environment of continuous improvement in every aspect of the company's products and services. Acts as a champion for quality.

03. Manager :
Ensures the administration of the organization's QA / QC program within a defined segment of the suppliers on quality issues.

04. Consultant :
Provide advice, facilitation and training on the development, administration and technical aspects of a company's quality assurance (QA) or quality control (QC) program at any or all levels in the organization. Has an expertise or specialty in some or all aspects of the quality field. Is in the forefront of keeping abreast of changes in his or her field. This person can be from outside the organization or can be an employee.

05. Auditor :
Primarily performs and reports an internal and/or external quality system audits.

06. Associate :
Participates in quality improvement projects but does not necessarily work in a traditional quality area.

07. Analyst :
Initiates and coordinates quality related data from production and service activities and reports these data using statistical techniques.

08. Coordinator :
Collects, organizes, monitors and distributes any information related to the functions of the quality department. Might also communicate information on the latest standards, procedures and requirements related to the company's products or services. Typically generates reports using computer skills and distributes those reports to various users in the organization, customers or suppliers.

09. Inspector :
Inspects, audits and reports on materials, processes and products using variable or attribute measuring instruments and techniques to ensure conformance with the company's quality standards.

10. Product Engineer :
Performs engineering work related to researching, designing, developing and producing machines, tools, production equipment, engines or related products. Duties might include the development of processes to ensure quality, cost and efficiency requirements are met. Might also research and recommend purchase of equipment or upgrades of existing equipment.

11. Quality Engineer :
Designs installs and evaluates QA / QC process sampling systems, procedures and statistical techniques; designs or specifies inspection and testing mechanisms and equipment; analyzes production and service limitations and standards; recommends revision of specifications when indicated; formulates or helps formulate QA / QC policies and procedures; conducts training on QA / QC concepts and tools; and interfaces with all other engineering components within the organization and with customers and suppliers on quality related issues.

12. Reliability Engineer :
Uses principles of performance evaluation and prediction to improve the safety, reliability and maintainability of products ans systems. Plans reliability tests and conducts analysis of field failures. Develops and administers reliability information systems for failure analysis and performance improvement.

13. Software Quality Engineer :
Applies quality principles to the development and use of software and software based systems. Designs and implements software development and maintenance processes. Designs or specifies test methods for software inspection, verification and validation.

14. Specialist :
As the primary assignment, performs a specific quality related function, such as quality training, auditing or reliability testing, in the organization's quality program. Has either received direct training or has been performing the activity for a number of years. Shows a very high degree of skill performing the activity.

15. Supervisor :
Administers the organization's QA / QC program within a defined department of the organization. Has direct reports that implement some aspect of the policies and procedures of the quality program.

16. Technician :
Performs basic quality techniques to track, analyze and report on materials, processes and products to ensure they meet the organization's quality standards. Might calibrate tools and equipment.

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Re-Defined : Quality

There have been various definitions of the word "Quality" all these days by learned individuals and the quality professionals. Some of them being as under :

01. Quality is conformance / compliance to design / specifications / requirements.
02. Quality is that which makes an object what it is.
03. A degree of excellence.
04. Consistency.
05. Value for money.
06. The best.
07. Degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements (ISO 9001:2000).
08. Fitness for use.
09. The totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bears on its ability to satisfy given needs.

If we analyze the above definitions, we can visualize that all of them are generally indicative of positive aspects of an object / product or the service. Also, most of them define to a situation where the quality will lead towards a sense of providing levels of comforts and satisfaction out of a product or service.

The new definition of QUALITY could therefore be -

"The level of performance and satisfaction that could be achieved, from a product or service against the intended / Specified requirements"

It is the fact that, characteristics of a product / service are finally accountable to define the quality of the product using them for the evaluation of quality but characteristics themselves can't be the quality as quality is a singular word and has to give a singular meaning.

Quality could be categorized as excellent, average or poor depending upon its vital characteristics and their evaluation but while defining, characteristics shouldn't find mention.

When there is talk on features of Quality, well; the characteristics very much have to find mention, not otherwise. It is like asking the name of someone and where one has to reply the name only and not the history attached to it.

Related Links :

01. Do You Know About QCFI?
02. QCFI and its Contribution to Quality Circle Movement In INDIA
03. Dr. K. Ishikawa : Founder of Quality Circle
04. History of Early 1950's
05. Services Offered By QCFI
06. Tips to Deal With Interruptions
07. Tips to give Good Feedback
08. Benefits of ISO 9001 : 2000 Quality Management System
09. Debatable Points Related to ISO 9001 : 2000 Quality Management System

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Sunday, June 04, 2006

History of Early 1950's

From the early 1950’s, Japanese learnt from the seed courses of Dr. E. Deming’s on statistical methods for quality control and Dr. J. Juran’s courses on Quality Management. With zeal for learning and self-sufficiency, they vigorously promoted quality education by local experts across their country. It began with massive education of engineers, and then top and middle managers, supervisory levels . Under their system of organizing work, it became logical to extend training on quality to the ‘Gemba-cho’, the ‘leading hand’ of the workers in a section. Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa and his associates realized the immense potential of front line employees. It is not only the best way to help people to develop their own potential but also from the organization point of view for contribution through training, development and motivation for quality control and improvement. The training featured intra departmental groups of about 10 workers seated around a table and hence the name 'QC Circle'. this thought revolution has been of immense benefit to Japan as a country, to the Japanese organizations that adopted it and to the most of the ASEAN countries who have been pursuing it. Problem solving was no more the exclusive purview of supervisors and managers (with workers only to do as told) but the people who are performing the tasks at work place are trained and empowered to solve work related problems and recommend solutions. Persons becoming members of Quality Circles realize and develop their potential, individually and in groups, acquiring new skills and competencies. Such competencies will only help to improve their performance and capabilities for their own betterment.

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QCFI and its Contribution to Quality Circle Movement In INDIA

First you need to understand What is QCFI

Over a period, QCFI realized that concept of Quality Circles has immense implications and potential for India, which is a developing country. Development is not an easy task for a country of this size with an alarming population growth, where a vast majority of them, being illiterate and live in pathetic and unhygienic condition in the villages. Added to this, caste and religion are used to create hatred and in fights amongst them.

Under these circumstances any effort put for their development will not work unless they are made to THINK and understand the necessity to use their own ability for the self and mutual development. There is an urgent need for participation, involvement and collective learning of people. Hence the promotion of Quality Circle which has this basic aim in its concept is needed for country wide propagation. Certain experimental efforts by QCFI to promote this concept in villages has shown tremendous results.

Keeping all this in view , the focus of QCFI now is widened to include all the areas for the propagation of this concept. QCFI's Management is vested in an Executive Board headed by a President. QCFI has acquired its own premises in Hyderabad (Secunderabad).

In QCFI's existence of more than two decades, many organisations in the country have had the benefit of Quality Circle Education and Training and also its assistance in establishing Quality Circles in their organizations. It is heartening to state here that they are all institutional members of QCFI, thus strengthening the base of QCFI for further service. QCFI has 20 Chapters spread over the country in the Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern zones catering to the needs of Quality Circle promotion and training of people in their respective areas.

Here you can see the details about the services rendered by QCFI, various courses conducted, list of its publications, its current activities etc. You will also find details about how to become a member of QCFI. As a member you can learn as well as help others to learn by becoming an active member.

Related Links :

01. Do You Know About QCFI?

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Do You Know About QCFI?

Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) was founded in April 1982 as a non-political and non-profit organization with Headquarters at Hyderabad to promote Quality Circle concept in India by creating awareness and imparting skills in implementing Quality Circles in the organizations. Initially QCFI had industries as its main focus.

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