2.9.1.2. Group – Oriented Kaizen
Group – Oriented Kaizen implies that the improvement process if focused in those
activities that are carried out in the form of small groups either permanent or non-
permanent i.e. Quality Control Circles.
According to Poornima(2003), such groups, when are permanent require to
follow the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action) cycle, where the team members identify the
problem and its causes through analysis and then design and implement the measures to
counter the problem. To carry out these tasks the members are trained in use of different
quality tools and procedures. Small group activities may also be carried out through ad
hoc groups and are usually on voluntary basis. The members of these groups are also
trained for carrying out their task. In the process, the development of group members not
only takes place formally using the outside source to the group, but also internally where
the members themselves become source of development for each other. The individual
strengths of the members become the strengths of the group while conducting the
activities and in the process the members learn from each other’s strengths, thus further
enhancing their capacity. During these activities the members learn new skills and
knowledge and develop more cooperative attitude:
Procedures have to be established and maintained for identifying the
competence needs and training/ education must be provided to all such
personnel whose activities affect quality. These include those who perform
quality system audits. The personnel of the company's vendors or
consulting organizations are also covered under the training
plans/programmes, where appropriate (Poornima, 2003).In case of non-permanent groups even when the band disintegrate the members
takes the newly developed skills to their work places resulting in improved quality of