1. Quality Circle

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

3. Major Attributes of Quality Circle: Quality Circle is a form of participation management. Quality Circle is a human resource development technique. Quality Circle is a problem solving technique.

4. Objectives of Quality Circle: Change in Attitude.From "I don’t care" to "I do care" Continuous improvement in quality of work life through humanization of work. Self DevelopmentBring out ‘Hidden Potential’ of peoplePeople get to learn additional skills.

5. Objectives of Quality Circle: Development of Team SpiritIndividual vs. Team – "I could not do but we did it"Eliminate inter departmental conflicts. Improved Organizational CulturePositive working environment.Total involvement of people at all levels.Higher motivational level.Participate Management process.

6. Structure of Quality Circle 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. Coordinator: 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 coordiatesthe works of several quality circles through the Circle leaders.

7. Structure of Quality Circle Circle leader: Leaders may be from lowest level workers or Supervisors. A Circle leader organizes and conducts Circle activities. Circle members : They may be staff workers. Without circle members the program cannot exist. They are the lifeblood of quality circles.

8. The operation of quality circles involves a set of sequential steps as under: Problem identification: Identify a number of problems. Problem selection : Decide the priority and select the problem to be taken up first. Problem Analysis : Problem is clarified and analyzed by basic problem solving methods. Generate alternative solutions : Identify and evaluate causes and generate number of possible alternative solutions.

9. The operation of quality circles involves a set of sequential steps as under: 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. 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. Present solution to management circle members present solution to management fore approval Implementation of solution : The management evaluates the recommended solution. Then it is tested and if successful, implemented on a full scale

10. 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

11. Sequential Steps of Quality Circle Problem identification: Identify a number of problems. Problem selection : Decide the priority and select the problem to be taken up first. Problem Analysis : Problem is clarified and analyzed by basic problem solving methods. Generate alternative solutions : Identify and evaluate causes and generate number of possible alternative solutions.

12. 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. 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. Present solution to management circle members present solution to management fore approval. Implementation of solution : The management evaluates the recommended solution. Then it is tested and if successful, implemented on a full scale.

13. Basic Problem techniques Brain storming Pareto Diagrams Cause & Effect Analysis Data Collection Data Analysis

14. Quality Circles are not limited to manufacturing firms only. They are applicable for variety of organizations 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.