Week 7: Quality Management and Six Sigma

The desire to reduce or eliminate waste in all forms, especially product or service defects, is at the heart of Quality Management. Improving quality reduces lost revenue due to remanufacturing as well as reduces liability for product failures. Recalls can cost companies significant amounts of money. It is estimated that the GM recall has cost the company billions of dollars. Your readings present an overview of the concepts and activities surrounding the management of quality while offering a number of tools that aid in the prevention, elimination, containment, and control of defective output.

As you review this week’s materials, consider how you might identify activities that affect quality and (a) are familiar to all areas and types of businesses, or (b) uniquely characterize either manufacturing or service operations. What works for one company may not be applicable to another. Having the skills to create a novel plan for the specific company will allow for optimal results. The ability to apply your knowledge of quality management from one industry to another, or from one category of business to another, is a valuable trait for current and future employers. Accordingly, you will have the opportunity to apply quality management tools, techniques, and principles to either service or manufacturing operations. How a method is applied is as critical as the method being used.

As you research the topic of quality management, ask yourself what does each method have in common? What is unique about it? Is it better for a service organization or manufacturing or does it apply to either?

Be sure to review this week’s resources carefully. You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.

Resources:
Pearce, A., Pons, D., & Neitzert, T. (2018). Implementing lean—Outcomes from SME case studies. Operations Research Perspectives, 5, 94-104. doi:10.1016/j.orp.2018.02.002

Mostafa, S., & Dumrak, J. (2015). Waste elimination for manufacturing sustainability. Procedia Manufacturing, 2, 11-16. doi:10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.003

Ng, S. C., Rungtusanatham, J. M., Zhao, X., & Ivanova, A. (2015). TQM and environmental uncertainty levels: Profiles, fit, and firm performance. International Journal of Production Research, 53(14), 4266-4286. doi:10.1080/00207543.2014.994076

Week 7 – Assignment: Integrate Waste Elimination Techniques into Training Development (10 Points)

Assignment Instructions:
Your company has asked you to draft a presentation on identifying and conveying the company’s quality initiatives as well as the topic is a whole for either for a service or manufacturing company. Begin your presentation by identifying which team you’ve selected (service or manufacturing) and continually reinforce how and why the points you emphasize are relevant to bottom-line business performance.

Your presentation should provide guidance by including the following:
• A brief history of your company’s quality, including anticipated cost recovery from the implementation of future quality improvements.
• A clear description of the target audience.
• Definition of at least six Quality Management terms (TQM, etc.) and an example of where and how each might be used to improve corporate quality outcomes.
• Description of one continuous improvement analytical tool (such as a Pareto chart or fishbone diagram) and how it might be used to advance quality.

Length:
15-20 slides (excluding the cover sheet, title page, and references). Your slides should cover all the concepts mentioned above. Envision that the people you are presenting this information to are not familiar with the terms and processes. Define the concerns of the company and then transition to quality methods.

References:
Include a minimum of five scholarly resources within the last 5 years on varying quality management systems. The majority should be from peer-reviewed journals.

Your presentation should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University’s Academic Integrity Policy.

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Learning Outcomes: 4, 6
• Apply waste elimination techniques to improve service and manufacturing processes.
• Incorporate information technology to optimize business operations.