What is Quality Control Circle (QCC)
Quality control circle is a framework for improvement and control the quality. The company that adopts the quality control circle (QCC) will form a small group of employees to identify the problems related to their own works, analyze, and find the solution. This will result in increased quality, productivity, and cost reduction.
The group of volunteers employees (quality circles) meets routinely to discuss the problems. After the circle analyzes the issue at hand, the group will likely present their findings and solutions to higher management or other leaders.
The quality control circle was developed by Edward Deming in the 1950s (who also developed the Deming Cycle) and was popular after Toyota adapted it. The quality control circle is also known as the “QCC” and “Quality Circle”.
Key Points
- Quality control circle is a framework for improvement and controlling the quality continuously.
- The company that adopts the quality control circle (QCC) will form a small group of employees called a “quality circle” to identify the problems related to their own works, analyze, and find the solution.
- You can use any tools for quality improvement to identify the issues and find the root of a problem.
- The key of the quality control circle is continuous, it’s not just a one-time project.
If you don’t know where to start, we can separate the quality control circle into three processes as its abbreviation: quality > control > circle.
Quality
Quality is the stage of identifying the problems related to the workplace. What is the quality you need to improve?
Generally, you might categorize the problems into the following categories: quality of life, work quality, and environmental quality. To find out any issues that exist in these categories.
Control
Control is the process of identifying the root of the issue and figuring out the solution. You may use any tool to help you identify the root of the problems such as:
- Flowcharts
- Scatter Plots
- Run Charts
- Graphical Tools
- Process Mapping Tools
- Pareto Charts
- Fishbone Diagrams
Circle
Once you found the solution you need to test it in the real environment. If the solution is successful as planned, it will be the standard process of that work in the future. In contrast, if it does not work as expected, you need to find out a new solution and start this cycle again.
This process is the same as “Do” and “Check” in the Deming cycle (PDCA) by Edward Deming
