Quality Improvement Teams and the PDCA Cycle
Quality Improvement Teams and Self-Directed Groups
Quality Improvement Teams: These teams are designed to address and resolve specific quality problems, aiming for lasting improvements in organizational processes. They have the autonomy to take appropriate actions to solve problems and enhance their work processes. These teams consist of members with specific knowledge and skills from various functional areas and hierarchical levels. Importantly, individuals outside the organization, such as customer or supplier representatives, may also be involved.
Self-Directed or Autonomous Groups: These groups represent significant advancements in employee participation within the quality system. However, the transfer of decision-making capacity is limited, which can restrict worker involvement and commitment. Organizations seeking an advanced quality system require intense and widespread employee involvement in process management and continuous improvement. This necessitates a new approach to managing and designing work. Employees must perform their tasks, control the results, and be accountable for continuously improving the processes they are involved in. These tasks are developed within self-directed groups, typically composed of 10-15 people. These teams often take over the direction of the organizational unit they form, collectively assuming responsibilities that were previously allocated to a supervisor. This includes collective control over the pace of work, work allocation, break organization, and the choice of inspection procedures.
Design and Implementation of Quality Management Teams
- Viability of team implementation (technology, organizational systems, management styles, and personal profile).
- External conditions influencing team design and development.
- Internal conditions conditioning team design and development.
- Training for potential teamwork.
- Results of teamwork.
The PDCA Cycle (Deming Circle)
The PDCA cycle, also known as the “Deming Circle” (named after Edwards Deming), is a four-step strategy for continuous quality improvement based on a concept by Walter A. Shewhart. It’s also referred to as a spiral of continuous improvement and is widely used by SGSI. PDCA is an acronym that stands for Plan, Do, Check, Act.
The Four Stages of PDCA
PLAN
Establish the objectives and processes necessary to achieve the desired results. This focuses on the expected outcome, differentiating it from other techniques where achieving or adhering to specifications is also part of the improvement.
DO
Implement the new processes, ideally on a small scale.
CHECK
After a predetermined period, conduct a review to collect data and analyze it against the objectives and initial specifications. This assesses whether the expected improvement has occurred and documents the findings.
ACT
Adjust the processes based on the findings from the previous step to achieve the original objectives and specifications. If necessary, implement further improvements if errors were detected in the previous step. Document the process.