Quality Toolkit for Managers Notes
Subject Overview
The fourth Operations Management group elective, covering quality definitions and statistical quality control tools, control charts and process capability, acceptance sampling and quality assurance, and quality systems including ISO standards and TQM. A 4-credit elective theory paper.
Subject at a glance
4
Units
29
Topics
4
Credits
4
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
4 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Definition
- need and aspects of quality
- quality characteristics and specification
- economics of quality
- inspection objectives and types
- statistical quality control tools
- advantages and limitations
Check sheet
Histogram
Pareto chart
80/20 rule
Cause-and-effect diagram
Fishbone
Scatter diagram
Control chart
Flowchart or stratification
Study guide
This unit covers the definition, need and aspects of quality, characteristics, the economics of quality, inspection and statistical quality control tools. Distinguish quality control from inspection.
- Concept of variability
- assignable and chance causes
- specifications and tolerances
- control charts for variables and attributes
- Type I and Type II errors
- process capability determination
X̄ chart limits
X̄̄ ± A2 R̄
R chart limits
D3 R̄ to D4 R̄
p chart limits
p̄ ± 3 √[p̄(1 − p̄) / n]
Process capability
Cp = (USL − LSL) / 6σ
Cp ≥ 1.33 is usually considered capable
Study guide
You study variability, assignable and chance causes, specifications, tolerances, control charts for variables and attributes, Type I and II errors and process capability. Draw a control chart from sample data.
- Methods of taking samples
- operating characteristics curve
- single/double/multiple/sequential sampling plans
- quality assurance principles
- quality manual
- field complaints
- quality audit types
- QC vs QA
Focus
Finding defects in products
Preventing defects in processes
Approach
Reactive: inspection, testing
Proactive: systems, audits
Responsibility
QC team
Everyone
Study guide
You study sampling methods, the OC curve, single, double, multiple and sequential plans, quality assurance, quality manuals, complaints and audits. Interpret an OC curve.
- ISO 9000 series and ISO 14000 systems
- TQM concept
- quality circles
- JIT system
- Taguchi's concept of quality
- zero-defect concept
- Six Sigma and 5S
- emerging concepts in quality control
ISO 9001
Quality management system
ISO 14001
Environmental management
TQM
Company-wide quality culture
Six Sigma
DMAIC, 3.4 defects per million
5S
Sort, set, shine, standardise, sustain
Taguchi
Loss function, robust design
Study guide
You study ISO 9000 and 14000, TQM, quality circles, JIT, Taguchi, zero defects, Six Sigma, 5S and emerging concepts. Apply 5S to your workspace.
Why Quality Toolkit for Managers Matters
Quality skills are valued in manufacturing, services and operations and support certifications such as Six Sigma Green Belt.
How to Prepare for Quality Toolkit for Managers
- Practise control chart and process capability problems.
- Apply 5S to a real workplace.
- Learn ISO standards at a conceptual level.
Quality Toolkit for Managers: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a control chart?
A control chart plots a process measurement over time against limits to show whether the process is stable.