Om TQM
Om TQM
Om TQM
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
FOR
BUMA 20013
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (TQM)
Approved by:
MISSION
Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities
through a re-engineered polytechnic university by committing to:
PHILOSOPHY
• Education is an instrument for the development of the citizenry and for the enhancement
of nation building; and
• That meaningful growth and transmission of the country are best achieved in an
atmosphere of brotherhood, peace, freedom, justice and nationalist-oriented education
imbued with the spirit of humanist internationalism.
TEN PILLARS
GOALS
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to provide the students with an in-depth study and exposure to the
concepts and theories about human behavior in organization and will have an opportunity to
build and enhance their skills and attitudes in Business Organization.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Discuss the different theories, concepts, principles, leadership styles and practices
relevant to entrepreneurial leadership in an organization;
2. Apply the skills, knowledge, and attributes acquired to become an effective leader; and
3. Demonstrate appreciation of the leadership challenges in a global market environment.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Students are encouraged to attend the class sessions (online students) and complete all
the requirements (online and offline students).
2. The course is expected to have a minimum of four (4) quizzes and two (2) major
examination (Midterm and Final Examination). Some activities will be rated using the
Rubrics.
3. Other requirements such as written/programming outputs, exercises, assignments and
the likes will be given throughout the sessions. These shall be submitted on the due
dates set by the teacher.
GRADING SYSTEM
The grading system will determine if the student passed or failed the course. There will be two
grading periods: Midterm and Final Period. Each period has components of: 70% Class
Standing + 30% Major Examination. Final Grade will be the average of the two periodical
grades.
Midterm Grading Final Grading
Class Standing 70% Class Standing 70%
• Quizzes • Quizzes
• Activities • Activities
Midterm Examination 30% Final Examination 30%
RUBRICS
Outstanding Very Good Average Poor
Criteria
5.0-4.5 4.0-3.0 2.5-1.5 1.0
Complete in all Complete in some Incomplete in
Incomplete and
aspects and aspects and many aspects and
Completeness does not include
includes all includes most of includes few
requirements
requirements the requirements requirements
Presents an
Presents an Presents
insightful and Presents shallow
insightful and in- incomplete
analysis of most of analysis of data;
Analysis and Use depth analysis of analysis of data;
the data; uses and uses limited
of the all data; uses many and fails to use
some entrepreneurial
Entrepreneurial entrepreneurial entrepreneurial
entrepreneurial concepts and
Concepts and concepts and concepts and
concepts and business tools
Business Tools business tools business tools
business tools learned in the
learned in the learned in the
learned in the subject
subject subject
subject
Presents specific,
Presents complete, Presents some Presents limited,
realistic, and
realistic, and applicable unrealistic
applicable
Setting of applicable recommendations recommendation
recommendations
Recommendation recommendations from the data from the data
from the data
for future action from, and shows gathered, and gathered, and
gathered, and
plans how to use it in shows how to use failed to show how
shows how to use
their future action it in their future to use it in their
it in their future
plans action plans. future action plans.
action plans.
The paper has
The paper has The paper lacks
sophisticated The paper is not
clarity, clarity,
Over-all clarity, clear and contains
conciseness, and conciseness, and
cohesiveness conciseness, and serious errors.
correctness. correctness.
(writing and correctness. Failed to include
Includes some Includes limited
presentation) Includes all needed relevant data and
needed relevant relevant data and
relevant data and analysis.
data and analysis. analysis.
analysis.
COURSE GUIDE
7-8 Lesson 3 Organizing Know the different ways how company Lecture Written
for Quality organize for quality. Interactive Output
Unit 1 The PDCA cycle Conceptualize their own company Discussion Assignment
Unit 2 Six-Sigma quality policy statement. Short Quiz
Unit 3 Building
Employee
Empowerment
9 MIDTERM 70%
EXAMINATION passing
10- Unit 4 Benchmarking Lecture Written
11 Unit 5 The JIT System Interactive Output
Discussion Assignment
Inter-active Short Quiz
exercises
12- Lesson 4 The Seven Know the application of the seven Q.C. Lecture Written
13 QC Tools tools. Interactive Output
Unit 1 Pareto Analysis Apply some of the QC tools in various Discussion Activity -
Unit 2 Ishikawa Diagram individual and group exercises Inter-active Pareto
Unit 3 Flowchart exercises, Analysis,
survey Flowchart
Assignment
Short Quiz
14- Lesson 5 Inspection Determine the objectives of inspection, its Lecture Written
15 purpose, and different stages. Interactive Output
Be aware of the drawbacks of inspection. Discussion Assignment
Short Quiz
16- Lesson 6 Waiting Determine the quality control practices Lecture Written
17 Lines used in various companies. Interactive Output
Discussion Assignment
Short Quiz
18 FINAL EXAMINATION
Page
Introduction i
Lesson 5 Inspection 58
Unit 1: Introduction 58
References 71
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
CQI- Continuous Quality Improvement
SQC- Statistical Quality Control
Discussion: QFD- Quality Function Deployment
QIDW- Quality In Daily Work
TQC- Total Quality Control
Total Quality Management (TQM) refers to
management methods used to enhance quality
and productivity in business organizations. TQM is
only one of many acronyms used to label
management systems that focus on quality. It is
also known as CQI (continuous quality
improvement), SQC (statistical quality control),
QFD (quality function deployment), QIDW (quality
in daily work), TQC (total quality control), etc.
It is a comprehensive management
approach that works horizontally across an
organization, involving all departments and
employees and extending backward and forward
to include both suppliers and clients or customers. Like many of these other systems, TQM
provides a framework for implementing effective quality and productivity initiative that can
increase the profitability and competitiveness of organizations.
The history of TQM starts with Elton Mayo’s Hawthorne experiements from 1927 through
1932. These experiments showed that workers participation in decision making improves
productivity. In the 1930s, the Hawthorne plant of the Western Electric Company studied lighting
levels, workday lengths, and rest period lengths to maximize productivity. During the lighting
level studies, researchers found that when the lights were brighter, worker productivity
increased. However when lighting level was decreased worker productivity also increased.
Elton Mayo's Hawthorne experiments (1927-1932)- Decision making
- Western Electric Company- mas malinaw ang light, mas productive (Hawthorne Effect)
changes in behavior of employees
Edward Deming- statistical method; Dr. Juran- Quality management in Japanese (1950s)
In the 1960s Douglas McGregor formed the Theory X and Theory Y leadership models.
A Theory X leader applies a negative approach to management. They assume most workers
really do not like to work and try to avoid work. A Theory Y leader believes workers want to do a
good job. They believe workers will offer solutions to problems and participate in problem
solving events. An involved employee is a productive employee. In 1968 the Japanese shaped
the phrase Total Quality Control. TQC is a company wide quality control philosophy. This
philosophy drove Japan to the world quality leader in the 1970s. For the most part, Japan
remains the quality leader. However the world has significantly closed the gap.
In the 1980 the U.S. Navel Air Systems coined the TQM phrase. The Navy based most
of the principles on the Japanese Total Quality Control philosophy. Many companies adopted
TQM during the 80s. TQM spread like wild fire. Many companies saw significant gains in
productivity. However many companies started the program and failed miserably because they
weren't willing to change.
In the 1990s' TQM evolved. Experts introduce new methods that supported TQM. These
include Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma. Organizations could now become certified to ISO
9001. The Malcom Baldridge National Quality Award (MBNQA) was created for the US. MBNQA
auditors give this award to companies who show the most outstanding quality management
practices.
ISO revised the ISO 9001 standard in 2015 to include Knowledge management.
Although Six Sigma started in the 1990s, it became the prevalent problem solving process used
by Quality professionals. The term Lean Six Sigma was born. A combination of Lean thinking,
5S, and Six Sigma forms the core of Lean Six Sigma. In addition experts start using Kaizen,
Gemba, and Hoshin Kanri concepts.
Benefits of TQM
1. Improves competitive position
2. Increase adaptability to global markets
3. Elevated productivity
4. Superior global image
5. Eliminates defects
6. Reduces waste
7. Reduces quality costs
8. Improves management communication
9. Raises profits
10. Drives customer focus
11. Customer loyalty
12. Reduces design time
Activities:
Exercises:
1. In your own words, what is quality?
2. Why it is important to study Total Quality Management?
References:
• https://www.quality-assurance-solutions.com/TQM-History.html#ixzz6XBX8ARHM
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/total-quality-management/tqm-history
Overview
This lesson focuses on the fourteen (14) points given by Dr. W. Edward Demings from his book
entitled Out of the Crisis.
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
As noted by Dr. Deming in The New Economics, "My 14 Points for Management follow
naturally as application of the System of Profound Knowledge for transformation from the
present style of management to one of optimization."
The 14 points are a basis for transformation of American industry. Adoption and action
on the 14 points are a signal that management intend to stay in business and aim to protect
investors and jobs. Such a system formed the basis for lessons for top management in Japan in
1950 and in subsequent years. The 14 points apply to small and large organizations, from the
service industry to manufacturing.
7. Implement leadership.
• Expect your supervisors and managers to understand their workers and the processes
they use.
• Don't simply supervise – provide support and resources so that each staff member can
do his or her best. Be a coach instead of a policeman.
• Figure out what each person actually needs to do his or her best.
• Emphasize the importance of participative management and transformational leadership.
• Find ways to reach full potential, and don't just focus on meeting targets and quotas.
8. Eliminate fear.
• Allow people to perform at their best by ensuring that they're not afraid to express ideas
or concerns.
• Let everyone know that the goal is to achieve high quality by doing more things right –
and that you're not interested in blaming people when mistakes happen.
• Make workers feel valued, and encourage them to look for better ways to do things.
• Ensure that your leaders are approachable and that they work with teams to act in the
company's best interests.
• Use open and honest communication to remove fear from the organization.
Activities:
Exercises:
1. Who is Dr. W. Edwards Deming?
2. What is the effect of Demings 14 Principle in the Total Quality Management?
• Deming, W. Edwards, Out of the Crisis, 14 Points, pages 23-24, © 2000 Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, by permission of The MIT Press.
• https://deming.org/explore/fourteen-points/
• https://tallyfy.com/demings-14-points/
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/total-quality-management/deming-points
Overview:
This lesson focuses on the social system in the organization. It also includes social
environment, basic culture, security, opportunity and motivational patterns.
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
The principles of Total Quality Management centers around the customer, quality of
work, mutual respect and teamwork. Continuous improvement involves constant analysis of the
way work is carried out in order to determine more effective and efficient ways of making
improvements and achieving excellence. Organizations that employ Total Quality Management
principles foster mutual respect and teamwork amongst their employees. This is true because
TQM principles foster a single-organizational culture of excellence and ensure that employees
uphold the same principles of work.
Benefits:
• More sales, increased revenue, market share, and mindshare
• Strong customer loyalty leading to repeat business
• Increased possibility that satisfied customers will tell others about the products and
services
3. Process approach
Adhering to processes is critical in quality management. Processes ensure that the
proper steps are taken at the right time to ensure consistency and speed up production.
Benefits:
• Faster development and production cycles, lower costs, and increased revenue.
• More consistency and predictable outcomes.
• Focus on continued improvements and success.
4. Integrated System
Integrated systems help the company to look for continual improvement in order to
achieve an edge over the competition. Everybody in every department should have a thorough
understanding of policies, standards, objectives, and processes.
Benefits:
• Focus on quality that will help the business achieve excellence and meet or exceed
customer expectations
Benefits:
• An ability to quickly identify, react, and fix process bottlenecks or breakdowns
• Overall improved organizational capabilities and improved performance
6. Continual improvement
Total Quality Management principles should help business keep an eye toward continual
improvement. Optimal efficiency and complete customer satisfaction doesn’t happen in a day—
business should continually find ways to improve processes and adapt your products and
services as customer needs shift.
Benefits:
• Improved knowledge and capabilities to increase performance.
• Improvement goals strategically aligned with organizational capabilities and goals.
• Quick reaction times to recognize and fix bottlenecks and broken processes.
7. Fact-based decision-making
Analysis and data gathering lead to better decisions based on the available information.
Making informed decisions leads to a better understanding of customers and the market.
Benefits:
• Ability to make informed decisions.
8. Communications
Everybody in the organization needs to be aware of plans, strategies, and methods that
will be used to achieve goals. There is a greater risk of failure if the organization don’t have a
good communication plan.
Benefits:
• Boost employee’s morale and motivation when they understand how their contributions
help the company achieve its goals.
• Ability to more accurately measure the effectiveness of current policies and procedures.
• Higher motivation from employees to achieve goals because they are part of the
decision-making process.
Successful implementation of these Total Quality Management concepts will not come
overnight. When total quality management principles are employed in any organization,
profitability is increased while errors and waste are minimized. Customer feedback, satisfaction,
and loyalty are achieved. Also, teamwork is boosted and staff are motivated to perform their
duties. In addition, the organization gains the confidence and loyalty of their staff as well.
Assessment:
Review Lesson 1, from Unit 1 to 3, and be ready for a quiz next meeting.
References:
• https://www.economicsdiscussion.net/quality-management/total-quality-management-
principles/31865
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/total-quality-management
• https://draminu.com/total-quality-management-principles/
• https://www.lucidchart.com/blog/8-total-quality-management-principles
Overview
This lesson focuses on the definition of customers, and importance of customer’s satisfaction.
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
A frequently used definition of quality is “Delighting the customer by fully meeting their
needs and expectations”. These may include performance, appearance, availability, delivery,
reliability, maintainability, cost effectiveness and price. It is, therefore, imperative that the
organisation knows what these needs and expectations are. In addition, having identified them,
the organisation must understand them, and measure its own ability to meet them.
Customer is considered as one of asset for an organization & treat as Boss or 'King'.
Customer dictates the market trends and direction. Manufacturing and service organizations are
using customer satisfaction to measure quality. Hence, the suppliers and manufacturers have to
closely follow at the heel of the customer.
One of the most important factors for the success of an enterprise is its customers.
Without them, a business cannot exist. But to capture customers, a business must try to find out
what people want, how much and how often they will buy and how their post-purchase
satisfaction will be ensured. There are two distinct types of customers, external and internal.
1. Internal customers – are within the company-the colleagues working together for delivering
a service or product for the external customer.
2. External customer – can be an individual or an enterprise that hires or purchases the
product or service from another person or business in exchange of money.
It refers to the measure of how products and defined as the number of customers, or
percentage of total customers, whose reported experience with a firm, its products, or its
services (ratings) exceeds specified satisfaction goals.
Customer satisfaction ratings can have powerful effects. They focus employees on the
importance of fulfilling customers’ expectations. Furthermore, when these ratings dip, they warn
of problems that can affect sales and profitability. When a brand has loyal customers, it gains
positive word-of-mouth marketing, which is both free and highly effective. Therefore, it is
essential for businesses to effectively manage customer satisfaction. To be able do this, firms
need reliable and representative measures of satisfaction.
Customers usually compare perceptions of what they actually received from the
organization with their expectations (what they were expecting to get from the organization).
Customer delight arises when perceptions exceed expectations. External customer satisfaction
shows the extent to which the organization;
• Uses methods for determining and monitoring external customer's perceived quality
and value.
• Uses customer feedback to improve product/service quality.
• Handles complaints, resolves them, and uses complaint information for quality
improvement and prevention of recurrence of problems.
• Measures performance against customer targets.
• Compares its customer satisfaction results with that of main competitors.
• Treat employees as you would treat your customers – They are valuable members of
your organization and they must feel important for the organization.
• Share your vision – Communicating the company’s vision with the employees will make
them feel a part of the company. It can help them align their goals with those of the
company.
• Surpass their expectations – To make your employees happy, offer unexpected gifts or
bonuses, arrange team parties, take them out for a team lunch or dinner, etc.
• Take feedback and suggestions – To better understand your employees; you must know
what they feel about their jobs, or their work environment.
• Show appreciation for good work – Appreciate a good work done.
Customer Perception of Quality is judged by customers. Thus, quality must take into
account all product and service features and characteristics that contribute value to customers
and lead to customer satisfaction, preference and retention. Quality of a product is not defined
only in terms of its durability, packaging, reliability, timely delivery and so on but also a
customer’s overall experience with the organization. Customer dissatisfaction leads to loss of
business. In service industry, employees need to interact with the customers sensibly and with
utmost care and professionalism to expect happy and loyal customers.
1. Performance
It involves “fitness for use” determine product feature ready for customer usage. Other
considerations include:
• Availability – which is the probability that a product will be there when needed;
• Reliability – which is freedom from failure over time;
• Serviceability – which is the ease of keeping the product operable.
2. Features
It involves attributes of product/services for primary & secondary nature depend upon
psychological, time-oriented, contractual, technological or ethical.
3. Services
This is an intangible requirement by customers and may differentiate between
purchasing a service or product in one place relative to another. It is a way of serving the
customer better.
4. Warranty
It is considered as public promise backed by guarantee for customer satisfaction. It gives
customer for commitment. It generates feedback about product’s features & services. It
encourage to purchase product & reduce risk level.
5. Price
The perception of customer changed about pricing, they can pay higher price to obtain
value. The customers have trend to compare multiple company’s product or services. If the
company wants to retain the customer they have to increase ongoing effort in terms of
identification, verification & update according to customer requirement.
6. Reputation
It sometimes relates to the goodwill for an organization. Total customer satisfaction gives
an organization reputation. Customer perception relates to purchase trusted brand name which
gives cost increase 5 times related to product. The strategy maker of an organization consider
the economical condition under consideration.
Activities:
Written Output:
1. In your own words, why Customer Satisfaction is important?
References:
https://slideplayer.com/slide/10316741/
https://www.slideshare.net/AneelRaza/total-quality-management-53460005?from_action=save
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-customers-in-total-quality-management.htm
http://tqmgroups.blogspot.com/p/customer-satisfaction-is-key-component.html
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-customers-in-total-quality-management.htm
https://www.businessballs.com/dtiresources/total_quality_management_TQM.pdf
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
An example of customer need takes place every day around 12:00 p.m. This is when
people begin to experience hunger (need) and decide to purchase lunch. The type of food, the
location of the restaurant and the amount of time the service will take are all factors to how
individuals decide to satisfy the need.
1. Functionality
Customers need your product or service to function the way they need in order to solve their
problem or desire.
2. Price
Customers have unique budgets with which they can purchase a product or service.
3. Convenience
Your product or service needs to be a convenient solution to the function your customers
are trying to meet.
5. Design
Along the lines of experience, the product or service needs a slick design to make it
relatively easy and intuitive to use.
6. Reliability
The product or service needs to reliably function as advertised every time the customer
wants to use it.
7. Performance
The product or service needs to perform correctly so the customer can achieve their goals.
8. Efficiency
The product or service needs to be efficient for the customer by streamlining an otherwise
time-consuming process.
9. Compatibility
The product or service needs to be compatible with other products your customer is already
using.
1. Empathy
When your customers get in touch with customer service, they want empathy and
understanding from the people assisting them.
2. Fairness
From pricing to terms of service to contract length, customers expect fairness from a
company.
3. Transparency
Customers expect transparency from a company they're doing business with. Service
outages, pricing changes, and things breaking happen, and customers deserve openness
from the businesses they give money to.
4. Control
Customers need to feel like they're in control of the business interaction from start to finish
and beyond, and customer empowerment shouldn't end with the sale. Make it easy for them
to return products, change subscriptions, adjust terms, etc.
5. Options
Customers need options when they're getting ready to make a purchase from a company.
Offer a variety of product, subscription, and payment options to provide that freedom of
choice.
7. Accessibility
Customers need to be able to access your service and support teams. This means providing
multiple channels for customer service. We'll talk a little more about these options later.
2. Means-End Analysis
Once you've conducted the customer needs analysis survey, you can use the answers
to get a fuller picture of the reasons why your customers purchase from you, and what makes
your product or service stand apart from your competitors'. A means-end analysis analyzes
those answers to determine the primary reasons why a customer would buy your product.
b. Benefits
A customer buys a product or service because of a benefit, real or perceived, they
believe it will offer them. The customer might also buy the computer because it syncs
easily with their other devices wirelessly.
c. Values
A customer buys a product or service for unique, individual values, real or perceived,
they believe it will help them fulfill. The customer might think the computer will help them
As you might imagine, these reasons for purchasing something can vary from customer
to customer, so it's important to conduct these customer surveys, collect the answers, and
group them into these three categories. From there, you can identify which of those motivating
factors you're solving for, and which you can improve on to make your product or service even
more competitive in the market.
The communication channel the business uses to respond to customer needs plays a
major role in their ability to resolve problems. Some customer needs are time-sensitive and
require immediate interaction via phone or chat. Others are less critical and can be resolved at a
more casual pace.
Email
It is one of the most fundamental forms of customer
service. It allows customers to fully describe their problems
and automatically records the conversation into a
resourceful thread. Email is best used with customer needs
that don't need to be resolved right away.
Phone
It is when customers have problems that need to be answered
immediately. Phones connect customers directly to
representatives and create a human interaction between the
customer and the business. Both parties hear each other's tone
and can gauge the severity of the situation. Phones come in
handy most when there's a frustrated or angry customer.
Chat
It is one of the most flexible customer service channels. It can solve a
high volume of simple problems or provide detailed support for
complex ones. Businesses continue to adopt chat because of its
versatility as well as the improvement in efficiency it provides for
customer service representatives.
In Person
It is the oldest form of customer service.
This fulfills a convenience need as
customers can purchase and return a
product without having to ship it back to the company through an
online service. In-person customer service is great for businesses
with strong service personnel.
What stops customers from meeting their needs with your services or products? The first
step to solve a problem is to put yourself in your customer's shoes: If you were the customer
when we purchase your goods, use your technology, or sign up for your services, what would
prevent you from achieving ultimate value?
Activities:
Written Ouput:
1. In your own words, why Customer Satisfaction is important?
Assignment:
• https://slideplayer.com/slide/10316741/
• https://www.slideshare.net/AneelRaza/total-quality-management-
53460005?from_action=save
• https://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-customers-in-total-quality-
management.htm
• http://tqmgroups.blogspot.com/p/customer-satisfaction-is-key-component.html
• https://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-customers-in-total-quality-
management.htm
• https://www.businessballs.com/dtiresources/total_quality_management_TQM.pdf
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
Customer satisfaction refers to the measure of how products and defined as the
number of customers, or percentage of total customers, whose reported experience with a firm,
its products, or its services (ratings) exceeds specified satisfaction goals.
Net Promoter Score, or NPS, is a popular customer satisfaction survey used to gather
quantitative and qualitative customer data. We'll talk a lot more about this type of survey later in
this post, but you'll need to adopt some form of customer feedback software if you want to use it
with the tips shared in the next section.
In-App Surveys
It’s one of the methods with the highest response rates, thanks to the fact that the
customer is asked for her opinion while she’s engaged with your company. In-app surveys are
especially handy to measure some of the standard customer satisfaction metrics, like NPS or
CES covered below. Good tools for in-app customer surveys are Floq and SurveyMonkey.
Email Surveys
These are a good tool for in-depth insights about your customer happiness. Why are
they happy or unhappy? Although they have a downside of low response rates (10% - 15%,
according to SurveyGizmo), they do allow your customer to take their time in answering multiple
questions. Google Forms is an excellent free tool for this purpose.
The scale typically ranges between 1 – 3, 1 – 5, or 1 – 10. A larger range is not always
better, due to cultural differences in how people rate their satisfaction. An article in
Psychological Science, for example, showed that people in individualistic countries choose the
more extreme sides more frequently than those in collectivistic countries.
An American is more likely to rate a service as “amazing” or “terrible” than for example a
Japanese, who will stick to “fine” or “not satisfactory." Such differences are important to be
aware of with an international customer base.
This idea for a customer satisfaction metric was introduced in the Harvard Business
Review article Stop Trying to Delight Your Customers. It challenges the accepted idea that
excellent customer service equals exceeding customer expectations. Through their analysis, the
authors found that customers are much more likely to punish bad service than to reward good
service. They showed that the costs of exceeded customer expectations are high, while the
payoffs are minimal.
8. Follow-Up Surveys
These are particularly effective because they capture the customer's immediate reaction
to the brand interaction. You'll know exactly how the customer is feeling right after a long sales
call or after a tricky support case.
Assessment:
Review Lesson 2, from Unit 1 to 3 and be ready for a quiz next meeting.
References:
• https://slideplayer.com/slide/10316741/
• https://www.slideshare.net/AneelRaza/total-quality-management-
53460005?from_action=save
• https://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-customers-in-total-quality-
management.htm
• https://www.userlike.com/en/blog/6-proven-methods-for-measuring-your-customer-
satisfaction
• https://blog.hubspot.com/service/how-to-measure-customer-satisfaction
• http://tqmgroups.blogspot.com/p/customer-satisfaction-is-key-component.html
• https://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-customers-in-total-quality-
management.htm
• https://www.businessballs.com/dtiresources/total_quality_management_TQM.pdf
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
In organizing for Total Quality Management, it is essential that the structure must be
organized to focus on the fundamental purpose of quality management: achieving continuous
process improvement.
Quality is focused on problem correction. Problem correction only serves to remove the
defects that have been embedded in the product as a consequence of the development
process. When properly organized, the focus is on problem prevention. Problem prevention
serves to improve the quality of the product and improve the competitive position of the
organization.
The American statistician and physicist Walter Shewhart is considered the father of
PDCA. He was passionate about statistical analysis and quality improvement and he built the
foundation of PDCA recorded in numerous publications. Years later, inspired by Shewhart’s
ideas, William Deming actually developed the model into a learning and improvement cycle,
It provides a simple and effective approach for solving problems and managing change.
It enables businesses to develop hypotheses about what needs to change, test these
hypotheses in a continuous feedback loop, and gain valuable learning and knowledge. It
promotes testing improvements on a small scale before updating company-wide procedures
and work methods. The PDCA cycle consists of four components:
Plan
This is a three-step process. The first step is
the identification of the problem. The second step is
an analysis of this problem. The third step is the
development of an experiment to test it. Some of the
things to consider during this process includes:
1. Problem Identification
2. Problem Analysis
3. Developing an Experiment
Do
This stage is where we test the proposed solutions or
changes. Ideally, this should be carried out on small-scale
studies. Small-scale experiments allow us to learn quickly,
adjust as needed, and are typically less expensive to
undertake. Make sure that you measure the performance
and collect the data necessary to make an evaluation later
on.
Check
In this stage, review the experiment, analyze the results, and identify what you’ve
learned. Consider the following questions:
PDCA cycle supports both the principles and practice of continuous improvement.
Kaizen focuses on applying small, daily changes that result in major improvements over time.
The PDCA Cycle provides a framework and structure for identifying improvement opportunities
and evaluating them objectively.
With the use of PDCA, an organization undergoing continuous improvement can create
a culture of problem solvers and critical thinkers. Improvement ideas can be rigorously tested on
a small scale. Using data, the team can make adjustments to the solution and reassess the
hypothesis. After an idea has been shown to be effective, it can be standardized and
implemented companywide. The iterative process of the PDCA cycle enables ideas to be
continuously tested and promotes a continuous improvement and continuous learning culture.
References:
• https://www.slideshare.net/MUNIF/organizing-for-quality
• http://kpa-group.com/en/our-customers/our-customers-1/organizing-for-quality-
management
Overview
This lesson focuses on the role of Six Sigma in organizing for quality in the organization.
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
“Six Sigma is a quality program that, when all is said and done, improves your customer’s
experience, lowers your costs, and builds better leaders.” – Jack Welch
Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects
(driving toward six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in
any process – from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service. The differing
definitions below have been proposed for Six Sigma, but they all share some common threads:
3. Then the team analyzes the process by isolating each input, or potential reason for the
failure, and testing it as the root of the problem. Through analysis, the team identifies the
reason for process error.
5. Finally, the team adds controls to the process to ensure it does not regress and become
ineffective once again.
The martial arts belt structure is used to recognize proficiency in training and application in Six
Sigma, using the following colors:
Formal certification is recognized at the Green Belt, Black Belt and Master Black Belt
level based on one or more of the following criteria:
A combined Lean Six Sigma belt typically is an expanded or modified version of Six
Sigma training with the addition of Lean principles and tools.
Assignment:
Written Output
1. If you are a supervisor, how will you emplower your employees?
References:
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/six-sigma
• https://www.leansixsigmadefinition.com/glossary/six-sigma/
• https://www.isixsigma.com/new-to-six-sigma/getting-started/what-six-sigma/
• https://goleansixsigma.com/what-is-lean-six-sigma/
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
Employee empowerment is about allowing the employee the autonomy to flourish with
the supervisor’s guidance. Mistakes are viewed as lessons learned, and risk-taking is seen as a
Ask what's going on with their families, or lives in general, to show that you care about
them as human beings. This will lead to a friendlier and more productive office environment. It
will also help you grow as a leader. Two-thirds of people agree that their boss had some kind of
impact on their career – make sure yours is a positive one.
4. Encourage self-improvement.
When your employees learn new skills, it improves the company as a whole. Some
companies even support continued education or classes outside of the workplace that enhance
personal growth. If you can't lend your employees financial support for their development, at
least be flexible with their schedules to a certain degree. Allowing your salesperson or HR
representative to leave half an hour early every Thursday for community orchestra practice can
do wonders for their well-being and work ethic.
8. Learn flexibility.
Be flexible with your employees as things come up. Trying a schedule that allows a
parent to drop their kids off at school in the morning. As a bonus, they'll be able to avoid rush-
hour traffic and put in even more work. Also allowing an employee to work from home to take
care of a sick parent or child if the job allows. If long WFH periods don't work for the company,
experiment with one WFH day a week or a couple each month.
1. It holds employees accountable. When you allow employees to make their own decisions
and take risks in the workplace, you are essentially investing in them. Your trust will hold
them accountable for their actions, motivating them to work harder and smarter.
2. It increases employee retention. Employees who feel appreciated and supported are more
likely to be loyal to the company.
3. It sparks job satisfaction. When an employee is free to take risks and perform at their own
pace and to their own standards, they tend to be more satisfied. Employee satisfaction
translates to a positive work culture.
4. It improves customer service. When handling customers, employees often pause to check in
with their managers on how to go about a specific request or resolve an issue. By
empowering your employees to get the job done without waiting for your approval, you set
your company up for better customer service.
5. It allows individual growth. Empowered employees feel more confident and inspired to grow,
which benefits not only their careers but also your company.
References:
• https://smallbusiness.chron.com/employee-empowerment-techniques-1843.html
• https://blog.proofhub.com/employee-empowerment-the-right-way-to-do-it-7d894654a393
• https://www.business.com/articles/trust-the-process-10-tips-to-empower-and-encourage-
your-staff/
• https://www.beekeeper.io/blog/10-tips-on-how-to-empower-and-engage-your-
employees/
Unit 4 : Benchmarking
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Discussion:
Evolution of Benchmarking
The method may have evolved in the early 1950s, when W. Edward Deming taught the
Japanese the idea of quality control. Other American management innovations followed. The
best example is Toyota Motor Corporation’s following the footsteps of Ford Motor Corporation
albeit with the adaptation of the Ford’s Just-in-case system into Toyota’s Just-in-time system.
The term “benchmarking,” however, was not coined by that time.
The term “benchmarking” emerged when the idea took ground in US during 1980s when
Xerox, Ford and Motorola became the pioneers of benchmarking in USA. Robert Camp, the
logistics engineer who initiated Xerox’s benchmarking program and who is generally regarded
as the guru of the benchmarking movement, defines it: “Benchmarking is the search for industry
best practices that lead to superior performance”.
What is Benchmarking?
It is the process of measuring the performance of one's company against the best in the
same or another industry. It is using the knowledge and the experience of others to improve the
organization. It is analyzing the performance and noting the strengths and weaknesses of the
organization and assessing what must be done to improve.
Importance of Benchmarking
There are several reasons that benchmarking is becoming more commonly used in
industry;
• Benchmarking is a more efficient way to make improvements. Managers can eliminate
trial and error process improvements.
• Benchmarking speeds up organization’s ability to make improvements.
• Compare business practices with those of world class organizations
Objectives of Benchmarking
• Becoming competitive
• Improving industry best practices
• Defining customer requirement
• Establishing effective goals and objectives
• Developing the measures of productivity
Types of Benchmarking
1. Process benchmarking
The initiating firm focuses its observation and investigation of business processes with a
goal of identifying and observing the best practices from one or more benchmark firms. Activity
analysis will be required where the objective is to benchmark cost and efficiency; increasingly
applied to back-office processes where outsourcing may be a consideration.
2. Financial benchmarking
Performing a financial analysis and comparing the results in an effort to assess your
overall competitiveness.
3. Performance benchmarking
Allows the initiator firm to assess their competitive position by comparing products and
services with those of target firms.
4. Product benchmarking
The process of designing new products or upgrades to current ones. This process can
sometimes involve reverse engineering which is taking apart competitors products to find
strengths and weaknesses.
5. Strategic benchmarking
Involves observing how others compete. This type is usually not industry specific
meaning it is best to look at other industries.
6. Functional benchmarking
A company will focus its benchmarking on a single function in order to improve the
operation of that particular function. Complex functions such as Human Resources, Finance and
Accounting and Information and Communication Technology are unlikely to be directly
comparable in cost and efficiency terms and may need to be disaggregated into processes to
make valid comparison.
7. Internal benchmarking
It is comparison against the best within the same organization or corporation, often
called benchmarking within your own class.
9. External benchmarking
It involves seeking outside organizations that are known to be best in class. It provides
opportunities of learning from those who are at the leading edge, although it must be
remembered that not very best practice solution can be transferred to others.
Benchmarking Procedure
Considerations
• Before an organization can achieve the full benefits of benchmarking, its own processes
must be clearly understood and under control.
• Benchmarking studies require significant investments of manpower and time, so
management must champion the process all the way through, including being ready and
willing to make changes based on what is learned.
• Too broad a scope dooms the project to failure. A subject that is not critical to the
organization’s success won’t return enough benefits to make the study worthwhile.
• Inadequate resources can also doom a benchmarking study by underestimating the
effort involved or inadequate planning. The better you prepare, the more efficient your
study will be.
Plan
1. Define a tightly focused subject of the benchmarking study. Choose an issue critical to the
organization’s success.
2. Form a cross-functional team. During Step 1 and 2, management’s goals and support for the
study must be firmly established.
3. Study your own process. Know how the work is done and measurements of the output.
4. Identify partner organizations that may have best practices.
Collect
1. Collect information directly from partner organizations. Collect both process descriptions and
numeric data, using questionnaires, telephone interviews, and/or site visits.
Analyze
1. Compare the collected data, both numeric and descriptive.
2. Determine gaps between your performance measurements and those of your partners.
3. Determine the differences in practices that cause the gaps.
Adapt
1. Develop goals for your organization’s process.
2. Develop action plans to achieve those goals.
3. Implement and monitor plans.
1. Cultural Change
Benchmarking allows organizations to set realistic, rigorous new performance targets,
and this process helps convince people of the credibility of these targets. It helps people to
understand that there are other organizations who know and do job better than their own
organization.
2. Performance Improvement
Benchmarking allows the organization to define specific gaps in performance and to
select the processes to improve. These gaps provide objectives and action plans for
improvement at all levels of organization and promote improved performance for individual and
group participants.
3. Human Resources
Benchmarking provides basis for training. Employees begin to see gap between what
they are doing and what best-in-class are doing. Closing the gap points out the need of
personnel to be trained to learn techniques of problem solving and process improvement.
References:
• https://totalqualitymanagement.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/benchmarking/
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/benchmarking
• https://totalqualitymanagement.weebly.com/benchmarking.html#:~:text=Benchmarking%
20is%20the%20process%20of,industry%20standard%20or%20best%20practice.
• http://tqmgroups.blogspot.com/p/benchmarking.html
• https://www.slideshare.net/amarjeetgorai/benchmarking-tqm
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
In order to survive, they had to “lean out” their processes. They built smaller factories,
which focused on quickly turning small amounts of raw materials into small amounts of physical
products. Processing smaller batches allowed the manufacturers to reduce financial risk, while
slowing generating sustainable levels of working capital. The system that they used came to be
known as just in time manufacturing, popularized in Western media as the Toyota Production
System.
JIT System
The just-in-time (JIT) inventory system is a management strategy that aligns raw-
material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules. Companies employ this
inventory strategy to increase efficiency and decrease waste by receiving goods only as they
need them for the production process, which reduces inventory costs. This method requires
producers to forecast demand accurately.
7. Improved Quality
The removal of large batch manufacturing and reduction in handling often results in
significant quality improvements; often in the region of 25% or more.
8. Productivity increases
To achieve JIT there are many hurdles that must be overcome with regards to how the
process will flow. These will often result in productivity improvements of 25% upwards.
• https://www.planview.com/resources/guide/what-is-lean-manufacturing/just-in-time-
manufacturing/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-in-time_manufacturing
• https://www.thebalancesmb.com/just-in-time-jit-inventory-management-393301
• https://leanmanufacturingtools.org/just-in-time-jit-production/
• https://www.tradegecko.com/inventory-management/what-is-just-in-time-inventory-
management
• https://www.thebalancesmb.com/just-in-time-jit-inventory-management-393301
• https://leanmanufacturingtools.org/just-in-time-jit-production/
• https://kanbanize.com/lean-management/pull/just-in-time-production
Overview
This lesson focuses on the Pareto Analysis as part of the seven quality control tool.
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
History
In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto discovered that 80% of the land in Italy was
owned by just 20% of the people in the country. He extended this research and found out that
the disproportionate wealth distribution was also the same across all of Europe. The 80/20 rule
was formally defined as the rule that the top 20% of a country’s population accounts for an
estimated 80% of the country’s wealth or total income.
Following the work of Pareto and Juran, the British NHS Institute for Innovation and
Improvement provided that 80% of innovations come from 20% of the staff; 80% of the
decisions made in meetings come from 20% of the meeting time; 80% of your success comes
from 20% of your efforts; and 80% of complaints you make are from 20% of your services.
Pareto Analysis
Examples:
1. It shows how many customer
complaints were received in each
of five categories.
6. Action
Start tackling the causes of the problems. Deal with the top-priority problem, or group of
problems, first.
Assignment:
References:
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_analysis
• https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/pareto-analysis-step-by-step.php
• https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_01.htm
• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pareto-analysis.asp
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/pareto
• https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6154-pareto-analysis.html
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
Common uses of the Ishikawa diagram are product design and quality defect prevention
to identify potential factors causing an overall effect. Each cause or reason for imperfection is a
source of variation. Causes are usually grouped into major categories to identify and classify
these sources of variation.
Karou Ishikawa revived the idea of the fishbone diagram to solve problems at the
Kawasaki shipyards in the 1960s, and the idea soon caught on. Even back in the 60s, the
fishbone diagram wasn’t anything new. In the 1920s it was seen as an important quality control
tool. The iconic Mazda Miata car was designed to overcome the issues identified in a fishbone
diagram. Even details such as designing the sportscar’s doors so that the driver could rest his
arm on it while driving was taken into account.
Variation = Imperfection
When it comes to quality and efficiency, variation is your enemy. Whatever your
business is, you don’t want to leave anything up to chance. From the moment your client
contacts you, a predictable process should be followed with its aim being complete customer
satisfaction. Variation in the process will mean variation in the product. Ishikawa diagrams help
you to determine the variables that may enter the equation. They allow you to make your plans
so that you know how to deal with them in such a way that the quality of your final product is still
up to standard and without significant variation.
Possible causes of variation may be numerous, but they will invariably fall into the
following categories:
1. Methodologies
Consider the need for policies, rules, regulations, or procedures to ensure consistent quality.
2. Machinery
This could be anything from assembly line robots to tools or even computers.
3. Materials
The materials needed to produce a quality product can’t be overlooked.
4. Measurements
How is the process measured and monitored to evaluate quality?
5. Environment
This includes anything outside the company’s control that may impact on results.
References:
• https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-
certification/qapi/downloads/fishbonerevised.pdf
• https://www.moresteam.com/toolbox/fishbone-diagram.cfm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishikawa_diagram
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/fishbone
• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/ishikawa-diagram.asp
• https://tallyfy.com/definition-fishbone-diagram/
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
History
What is a Flowchart?
Flowchart Symbols
Different flowchart shapes have different conventional meanings. The meanings of some
of the more common shapes are as follows:
• Terminator
The terminator symbol represents the starting or ending point of the system.
• Process
A box indicates some particular operation.
• Document
This represents a printout, such as a document or a report.
• Decision
A diamond represents a decision or branching point. Lines coming out from the diamond
indicates different possible situations, leading to different sub-processes.
• Data
It represents information entering or leaving the system. An input might be
an order from a customer. Output can be a product to be delivered.
• Off-Page Reference
This symbol would contain a letter inside. It indicates that the flow continues on a matching
symbol containing the same letter somewhere else on a different page.
• Delay or Bottleneck
Identifies a delay or a bottleneck.
• Flow
Lines represent the flow of the sequence and direction of a process.
Benefits of Flowchart
• It helps to clarify complex processes.
• It identifies steps that do not add value to the internal or external customer, including delays;
needless storage and transportation; unnecessary work, duplication, and added expense;
breakdowns in communication.
• It helps team members gain a shared understanding of the process and use this knowledge
to collect data, identify problems, focus discussions, and identify resources.
• It serves as a basis for designing new processes.
Types of Flowcharts
There are a wide variety of flowchart types. Here are just a few of the more commonly used
ones.
3. Organize them by type and corresponding shape, such as process, decision, data, inputs or
outputs.
5. Confirm your flowchart, walking through the steps with people who participate in the
process. Observe the process to make sure you haven’t missed anything important to your
purpose.
Assessment:
Review Lesson 4, from Unit 1 to 3, and be ready for a quiz next meeting.
References:
• https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_97.htm
• https://creately.com/diagram-community/popular/t/flowchart
• https://www.smartdraw.com/flowchart/
• https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/what-is-a-flowchart-tutorial
• https://asq.org/quality-resources/flowchart
• https://creately.com/blog/diagrams/flowchart-guide-flowchart-tutorial/
• https://www.visual-paradigm.com/tutorials/flowchart-tutorial/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowchart#:~:text=A%20flowchart%20is%20a%20type,conn
ecting%20the%20boxes%20with%20arrows.
Unit 1 : Introduction
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
The use of inspection has been evident throughout the history of organised production.
In the late of Middle Ages, special measures were taken to inspect the work of apprentices and
journeymen in order to guard the Guild against claims of makeshift or shoddy work.
During the early years of manufacturing, inspection was used to decide whether a
worker’s job or a product met the requirements; therefore, acceptable. It was not done in a
systematic way, but worked well when the volume of production was reasonably low. However,
as organisations became larger, the need for more effective operations became apparent.
In 1911, Frederick W. Taylor helped to satisfy this need. He published ‘The Principles of
Scientific Management’ which provided a framework for the effective use of people in industrial
organisations. One of Taylor’s concepts was clearly defined tasks performed under standard
conditions. Inspection was one of these tasks and was intended to ensure that no faulty product
left the factory or workshop; focuses on the product and the detection of problems in the
product. It involves testing every item to ensure that it complies with product specifications. It
also carried out at the end of the production process; and relies on specially trained inspectors.
Factory inspections for defects are performed by marking products (units) which do not
satisfy the product’s intended use. On-site quality control inspectors use ANSI/ASQ A3534-2-
1993 standard checklists to mark any defective units according to the severity level of any
defects.
Examples:
✓ Button and buttonhole on a garment do not align
✓ A product or part of a product that does not function
✓ Incorrect or unauthorized materials used
Determining Non-Conformity
Examples:
✓ Wrong size
✓ Incorrect labeling
✓ Dimensions do not meet accepted values
✓ Weight
✓ Incorrect power input/output for the destination market
Food Inspections
Inspections on processed and perishable foods are done in accordance with the
guidelines of the WHO Food Code (Codex Alimentarius).
Inspection Process
The process should have entry criteria that determine if the inspection process is ready
to begin. This prevents unfinished work products from entering the inspection process. The
entry criteria might be a checklist including items such as "The document has been spell-
checked".
1. Planning
The inspection is planned by the moderator.
2. Overview meeting
The author describes the background of the work product.
3. Preparation
Each inspector examines the work product to identify possible defects.
4. Inspection meeting
During this meeting the reader reads through the work product, part by part and the
inspectors point out the defects for every part.
During the pre-production phase, raw materials should be tested before entering
production. This may include a number of tests to examine the material for weight, dimensional
stability, pilling resistance, torqueing, pile retention, stretch recovery, and much more.
Components including closures, zippers, elastics and other embellishments such as beads,
rhinestones, sequins and rivets should also be tested for regulatory requirements.
Since quality issues are often a result of defects in the materials, inspections during the
pre-production phase allow auditors to address any issues before production begins. Ultimately,
by inspecting the materials up front, brands and retailers can avoid unanticipated costs and
delays.
Additional inspections should take place during various stages of production. For
apparel, inspections should occur at each critical step of the production process, from cutting to
assembling to pressing or other finishing procedures. For example, during the cutting phase,
each cutting ticket should be randomly inspected to ensure that each part is accurately notched
and shades are separated. If fabric is incorrectly cut, the parts cannot be properly assembled.
In-line inspections are important, as quality issues are often re-workable during the
production phase and can be fixed before the final product is complete. When quality issues are
not corrected during the production process, minor issues in the beginning of production can
lead to larger issues in later stages.
• Final Inspection
The final inspection is the last opportunity for auditors to catch and address quality
issues before they end up in the hands of the buyer, or even worse, the consumer. During the
final audit, products are examined for specific performance requirements, overall appearance,
sizing and fit.
Brands and retailers often skip inspections while the products are still at the factory and
only perform random, final inspections once the order is received at the ultimate destination. By
then, it is too late and the only recourse is discarding the poor quality units. This is costly to
every party, especially the factory, which will bear the brunt of the expense.
5. Rework
The author makes changes to the work product according to the action plans from the
inspection meeting.
6. Follow-up
The changes by the author are checked to make sure everything is correct.
The process is ended by the moderator when it satisfies some predefined exit criteria.
The term inspection refers to one of the most important elements of the entire process that
surrounds the execution and successful completion of a software engineering project.
Inspection Roles
1. Author
The person who created the work product being inspected.
2. Moderator
This is the leader of the inspection. The moderator plans the inspection and coordinates it.
3. Reader
4. Recorder/Scribe
The person that documents the defects that are found during the inspection.
5. Inspector
The person that examines the work product to identify possible defects.
Activity:
Play Kahoot!
Assessment:
References:
• https://www.bpir.com/total-quality-management-history-of-tqm-and-business-excellence-
bpir.com.html#:~:text=The%20following%20shows%20the%20history,from%20inspectio
n%20to%20business%20excellence.&text=Inspection%20involves%20measuring%2C%
20examining%2C%20and,specified%20requirements%20to%20determine%20conformit
y.
• https://qualityinspection.org/what-is-quality-inspection/
• https://www.slideshare.net/samikshasawant146/quality-control-and-inspection
• https://ceopedia.org/index.php/Quality_inspection
• https://www.qima.com/quality-control-services/inspections/inspection-types
• https://www.school-for-champions.com/tqm/inspection.htm#.X1qLMXkzbIU
• https://www.ngcsoftware.com/post/140/how-to-benefit-from-three-different-types-of-
quality-inspections/
• http://docenti.unimc.it/elena.cedrola/teaching/2014/12840/files/materiali-integrativi/total-
quality-management
• https://www.ispatguru.com/role-of-inspection-and-testing-in-maintaining-product-quality/
• https://ceopedia.org/index.php/Quality_inspection
• https://qualityinspection.org/what-is-quality-inspection/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_inspection
• https://www.ngcsoftware.com/post/140/how-to-benefit-from-three-different-types-of-
quality-inspections/
Unit 1 : Introduction
Overview
Learning Objectives:
Course Materials:
Discussion:
Waiting Line
A waiting line is when one or more customers wait for service. The customers can be
people or objects, such as machines waiting for maintenance, sales orders waiting to be
processed or shipped, or materials in inventory waiting to be used. In order to get an intuitive
feeling for the behavior of waiting lines, let us start with a very simple model where the rate of
the arrivals is homogeneous (i.e. the time between successive arrivals is always the same,
like clockwork), and the rate of service is also homogeneous.
The behavior of waiting line is very sensitive to small changes in the rates of arrival and
service. But observation shows that in most cases the rates of arrival and service are not
homogeneous. Hence, a waiting line which grows and shrinks because of an imbalance
between the demand for service and the capacity of the system to provide service.
Waiting line problems exist because the demand patterns are irregular or random and
service times vary among customers. Most often, the rate of producing the service also varies
depending upon customer needs.
1. Low level – it is initially inexpensive to the company. For example, if a customer waits in
line to return an item to a store without a receipt, a 'no return policy' would be a low level
of service.
2. High level – it is initially expensive to the company. However, that expense may be
worth it because the higher the customer satisfaction, the more likely a customer is to
return. For example, if a business issues a store credit, it would be offering a high level
of service.
This is used to estimate the number of potential customers that can fit into the process of
a service system at any given time.
For example, if a physician's waiting room only has five chairs available for patients to
sit, you would expect that there would never be more than five people scheduled at any one
time. That means the person scheduling the patients would also need to know how long it takes
the physician to examine each patient.
In order to make this determination, the estimated customers, or population, are divided
by the total customers the service system can hold. If the service system holds less than the
population, the company cannot meet the demand and customers leave.
1. Finite – it is where new customers can only be added to the line once others move out of
the line.
2. Infinite – it is where new customers are not affected by the number of customers already
in the system.
Lines can also be set up. A single line system often presents a view of fairness to the
customer because it typically works on a first come, first serve basis. This perception of fairness
often causes a single line system to work best. (However, in some single line instances, such as
a hospital waiting room, the rule about who is served first is based on the nature of the
emergency.)
A multiple line system, such as the one you see at a grocery store, may be used to
allow customers with fewer items to check out more quickly. Multiple line systems often provide
different transaction types by customer type.
There are three ways that customers may behave when they're unhappy with waiting in a line:
1. Balking - when a customer chooses not to enter the waiting line.
2. Reneging - when a customer enters the line, but leaves.
3. Jockeying - when a customer changes from one line to another.
A single phase line is when the customer's transaction is completed all at once.
1. Queue
It is a waiting line.
2. Channels
It is the number of waiting lines in a
queuing system.
3. Service phases
It is the number of steps in service
process.
6. Queue discipline
The rule that determines the order in which arrivals are serviced.
7. Queue length
The number of arrivals waiting for service.
8. Time in system
It is the arrival’s waiting time and service time.
9. Utilization
The degree to which any part of the service system is occupied by an arrival.
Performance measures are used to gain useful information about waiting line systems.
These measures include:
2. The average time customers spend waiting, and the average time a customer spends in the
system.
Customers often link long waits to poor-quality service. When long waiting times occur,
one option may be to change the demand pattern. That is, the company can offer discounts or
better service at less busy times of the day or week.
For example, a restaurant offers early-bird diners a discount so that demand is more level. The
discount moves some demand from prime-time dining hours to the less desired dining hours. If
too much time is spent in the system, customers might perceive the competency of the service
provider as poor. For example, the amount of time customers spend in line and in the system at
a retail checkout counter can be a result of a new employee not yet proficient at handling the
transactions.
Measuring capacity utilization shows the percentage of time the servers are busy.
Management’s goal is to have enough servers to assure that waiting is within allowable limits
but not so many servers as to be costinefficient. We calculate these measures for two different
waiting line models: the single-server model and the multiserver model.
QUEUING SYSTEMS
There are also other costs associated with waiting lines, such as loss of business due to
customers leaving and refusing to wait, or loss of reputation. Queuing analysis can assist
managers in determining answers to waiting lines such as:
For example:
Lily Collins pulls stock from his warehouse shelves to fill customer orders. Customer orders
arrive at a mean rate of 20 per hour. The arrival rate is Poisson distributed. Each order received
Since Jim can process an order in an average time of 2 minutes (= 2/60 hr.), then system is:
W = (1/30 – 10) = (1/10 hour or 6 minutes)
s
This model is very similar to model 1, the only difference being that service time is
constant instead of exponentially distributed. This is quite useful in order to model waiting lines
being served by automated systems which have constant service times, such as vending or
ATM bank machines.
Single channel
• Single phase
• Poisson arrival – rate distribution
• Constant service rate
• Unlimited maximum queue length
Examples:
It assumes: single channel, single phase, Poisson arrival – rate distribution, Constant
service rate, and unlimited maximum queue length. For example, Single – booth automatic car
wash and Soda vending machine. The formulas for model 1 are the same for model 2, the only
exception being the number of customers in the queue which is reduced by half.
Sample Problem:
Lq = ² / [2 (-)] = (15) ²/ ((2)(30)(30 – 15)) = 0.25 children
It deals with multiple servers serving one line of customers. The basic assumptions of
model 3 are: multiple channel, single phase, Poisson arrival – rate distribution, Poisson service
– rate distribution, and unlimited maximum queue length.
For example: Expressway exit multiple toll booths, Bank with multiple teller stations, etc.
The probability of an empty queue is important for this model as this is required to calculate the
average number of customers in the line L . The formulae are in figures 3 and 4.
q
After calculating the operating characteristics for a waiting line system, sometimes you
need to change the system to alter its performance. Let’s look at the type of changes you can
make to the different elements of the waiting line system.
Another approach is to dedicate specific servers for specific transactions. One example
would be to limit the number of items that can be processed at a particular cashier (ten items
or less) or to limit a cashier to cash-only transactions. Still another possibility is to install self-
service checkout systems.
Forecasting
The use of forecasting theory is an integral part of almost all aspects of production
andoperations management. Forecasting is certainly useful in the classical application
ofinventory management and sales forecasts; however, forecasting can be used in other areas
ofoperations management, such as product design, business strategy, production resources,
quality, maintenance and many more applications
Some uses of forecasting in other areas of business are (Stevenson & Hojati 2004):
Accounting – cost/profit estimates
Finance – cash flow and funding
Human resources – Hiring / recruiting/training
Marketing – Pricing, promotion, strategy
The idea of forecasting is to assume the future, based on information from the past. This
israrely perfect because of the randomness of events which can affect the forecast.
Althoughforecasts are not accurate, it is possible to improve their accuracy if they are made by
groupsand not individuals, as groups are more predictable than individuals (Stevenson &
Hojati2004)
Stevenson & Hojati (2004) provide an excellent six – step process for forecasting:
1. Determine purpose of forecast
2. Establish a time horizon
3. Select a forecasting technique
4. Gather and analyze data
5. Prepare the forecast
6. Monitor the forecast
Adding to these steps, as with all modelling tools, the first step is to ensure that the
baseassumptions of the model have not been violated. A basic assumption of any forecast
modelis that the same underlying systems which existed in the past will continue to exist in
thefuture. A correlation might be that the common cause variation associated with a
processwhich existed in the past will continue to exit in the future, without any interference
fromspecial cause variation. As with all forecasts or prediction models, the longer the forecast
orprediction time span, the less accurate the model. This makes sense as assumptions that
thesame underlying systems exist in perpetuity are unrealistic
Play Kahoot!
1. What is waiting line, and what are its characteristics?
2. What is querying theory, and its use in waiting line problem analysis?
3. How to select and apply the appropriate queuing models to solve waiting line problems?
4. What is forecasting, and what is its use in operations management and other business
areas?
Assessment:
References: