Disseminating knowledge related to productivity and quality: Quality Circle (QCs)

Friday, Nov 10, 2023 | 18:45

DOn 10th November, within the framework of the Support Program for Students on Productivity and Innovation activities, Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) organized a virtual training session about Quality Circle (QCs).isseminating knowledge related to productivity and quality: Quality Circle (QCs).

Attending the online training session were Dr. Ha Minh Hiep – Acting General Director of STAMEQ, Mr. Pham Le Cuong – Deputy Chief of STAMEQ Administration Department, and more than 1,300 lecturers, young profesionals, students at 27 universities and colleges from North to South of Vietnam. Namely as, Academy of Journalism and Communication; Thuyloi University; Academy of Finance; Hanoi Industrial Textile Garment University; East Asia University of Technology; Foreign Trade University; Vietnam Russia Vocational Training College No.1; College of Industrial and Constructional; Mientrung Industry and Trade College; Dong A University; University of Economics, Hue University; Ho Chi Minh city University of Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh city; Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade; Foreign Trade University (campus II); Thu Dau Mot University; Tra Vinh University; Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi; Binh Duong University; Vietnam – Singapore Vocational College; Vinh Long University of Technology Education; Nam Dinh University of Technology Education; University of Economics – Technology for Industries; Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Yen Bai Province; Nam Dinh Department of Science and Technology; Nha Trang University and University of Khanh Hoa and Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of STAMEQ.

Sharing about topic “QCs” at the online training session, Mr. Tran Tuan Anh – expert consultant at Quality Training Center (Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality) said, Quality circles (QCs) have been a popular employee-involvement technique among organizations pursuing excellence since the approach was first introduced in Japan in 1962. The philosophy behind QCs is based on quality guru Armand V. Feigenbaum’s belief that quality control planning could only succeed with “quality-mindedness” from top management down to workers. Since 1951, QCs have evolved into a structured system to harness the collective wisdom of everyone in an organization.

QCs is company-wide activity based on following concepts:

  • Obtain contribution of everyone to the improvement and development of the Company.
  • Develop respect for each other and build a congenial work place where people can enjoy their work.
  • Give full scope for use and development of human capabilities, which can open infinite possibilities for improved performance of the organization.

Steps of QCs include:  Plan – Do – Check – Act. Establishing a QCs group. Identifying, analysing problems, creating action plans; Performing problem solving; Evaluating performance results; Improvements for efficiency.

Besides, the expert also shared about main targets of QCs:

  • Improve productivity, quality, costs
  • Establish a more proactive level of control
  • Establish a supportive relationship
  • Increase income and share benefits between workers and businesses

QCs not only targets specific results but also helps members grasp tools and methods to solve quality problems. It can be applied to production, service, business management and research and development departments. Applying QCs not only helps improve information exchange within the organization, for example between members and between members and the person in charge; workers are more knowledgeable about quality and more proficient in solving problems, which also helps reduce waste, improve quality consciousness in the organization, increase labour productivity and raise employee income. Currently, there are more than 60 countries around the world that have deployed and applied this model.

The virtual training session kept attendees engaged and received lots of interesting questions from students. All questions have been satisfactorily answered by STAMEQ experts.