The quality circle

A Quality Circle is a volunteer group composed of workers, focused on concrete operational problems, which discuss analyses and propose solutions to work-related problems and present them to management. This aiming to improve the performance of the organisation, motivate and enrich the work and the quality of life at the workplace as well.

Typical topics for quality circles are: (1) improving occupational safety and health, product design and manufacturing processes; (2) abolishing the performance-diminishing factors; (3) ensuring quality results; (4) reducing material and energy consumption and (5) Observing regulations for ambient conditions, working environment and fire precautions.

Organisation of quality circles

Quality Circles are formal groups with 6 to 8 employees. They meet regularly on company time (at least once a month) and are coordinated by competent persons (usually designated as facilitators) with expertise on industrial relations, in human factors and skilled of problem identification, information gathering and analysis, basic statistics, and solution generation. Quality circles are generally free to select any topic they wish (other than those related to salary and terms and conditions of work, as there are other channels through which these issues are usually considered). Quality circles have the advantage of continuity; the circle remains intact from project to project.

The leaders of the quality circles are responsible for all organisational issues and questions as regards content. They select the members of the quality circle, maintain contact with the enterprise and the supervisors, inform about operational conditions and objectives, present and plan the methodical progression of consultations, provide the necessary materials and aids and implement the evaluation of the consultations and pass on recommendations. In the role as facilitators particular requirements are made regarding the style of presentation. He/she should moderate the group and allows it to work independently, holding back and only occasionally intervene to correct issues, visualising and structuring the results and making an overall positive impression.

Methodical procedure in quality circles

The consultations have the character of a results seminar, ideas conference or a problem-oriented workshop.

Procedure:

• The leader explains the problem.
• Working groups are formed where necessary.
• The members pool ideas.
• The suggestions are recorded. Basic principles are:
  • Quantity before quality
  • No limits to fantasy
  • No criticisms of others' suggestions
  • No assessment of the suggestions
  • The present ideas are read during any break
  • Only the group performance is valid
• The suggestions are structured and summarised.
• The participants in the consultation are free to make amendments and additions.
• The suggestions are evaluated and weighted according to their feasibility and practicability.
• Suggested decisions are formulated and recorded jointly
• The managing directors in the enterprise are informed of the results of the consultation in the quality circle. Different solutions are suggested and argued.

Quality circles were particularly further developed in Japan and used in the enterprises as a form of cooperation. The quality circle promotes a stronger identification with the enterprise and increased personal responsibility for the job on the part of the employees. Quality circles also make it possible to connect the existing informal groups with the management to the general advantage of the enterprise. Quality circles contribute to the qualification of employees, lead to in-house dialogue and generally improve the working environment.