PROGRAMS
Within the NC Circle program there are three different types of presentations:
  • PROJECT CIRCLE
  • PROBLEM CIRCLE
  • QUICK HIT CIRCLE



HOW IS THE TYPE OF CIRCLE PRESENTATION DETERMINED?

The determination of what type of circle you'll tackle is based on the POTENTIAL ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL. This determines the NC Circle direction

Potential Achievement Level

As indicated by the diagram above, if the circle theme falls below the standard achievement level, it is a PROBLEM circle. However, if the theme is at or above the standard achievement level, then it's a PROJECT circle.
The determination of which direction to go boils down to the issue you are trying to resolve. If it's a recurring issue that needs some type of solution, you'd use the PROBLEM methedology to resolve it. If you're trying to improve a situation, you'd use the PROJECT methodology.

A QUICK HIT presentation is a "mini" version of the problem circle that introduces teams to the world of NC Circles.

Although these steps seem daunting, please do not worry....they follow a specific flow that is easy to follow, and you'll pick it up quickly!


PROBLEM CIRCLES

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?
The circle can be broken down into 16 steps:
  1. Team Development
  2. Theme Selection
  3. Activity Plan
  4. Data Collection and Current Situation
  5. Goal Setting
  6. Root Cause Analysis
  7. Root Cause Identification
  8. Countermeasure Selection and Prioritization
  9. Countermeasure Planning (PLAN)
  10. Countermeasure Testing (DO)
  11. Countermeasure Verification (CHECK)
  12. Countermeasure Standardization (ACT)
  13. Data Comparison Summary
  14. Planned Goal vs. Actual Results
  15. Activity Plan (Plan vs. Actual)
  16. Impact Analysis
In addition these items are not necessary in the presentation as the judges will evaluate it on their own, but having it in the presentation makes their determination of each category much easier (Historically, these additional slides have always been added by the teams, even though not necessary):
  • Overall Tool Usage
  • Circle Duties Shared - Team
Click here to download the scoring criteria for a problem circle!


PROJECT CIRCLES

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?
Similar to the PROBLEM circle, the project circle can be broken down into 16 steps with a slight variation:
  1. Team Development
  2. Theme Selection
  3. Project Statement
  4. Activity Plan
  5. Situation Description and Analysis
  6. Goal(s) and Potential Benefits
  7. Objective Development (Criteria for Selecting Best Option)
  8. Develop Improvement Alternatives
  9. Decision Analysis (Selecting the Best Improvement Alternative)
  10. Planning Implementation of Best Alternative (PLAN)
  11. Testing and/or Implementation(DO)
  12. Implementation Verification (CHECK)
  13. Implementation Standardization (ACT)
  14. Comparison Summary
  15. Activity Plan (Plan vs. Actual)
  16. Impact Analysis
In addition these items are not necessary in the presentation as the judges will evaluate it on their own, but having it in the presentation makes their determination of each category much easier (Historically, these additional slides have always been added by the teams, even though not necessary):
  • Overall Tool Usage
  • Circle Duties Shared - Team
Click here to download the scoring criteria for a project circle!


QUICK HIT CIRCLES

The Circle Quick-hit Problem Solving (QPS) program is a user friendly format that serves as an introduction to team-based problem solving. The QPS program can help in addressing problems that require a level of activity that would be too great for an individual to pursue through a Suggestion Program but too small for the full Problem Solving Circle process.
GUIDELINES
  • 2 - 5 associates per team (maximum of 5 associates)
  • Follow the QPS steps (1-5)
  • Focus your activity on problems in QCDMSE
  • Activity must be completed in 6 months
  • Fill out the pages as you go (hand drawn graphs, scanned images, attached documentation, etc.)
  • Contact your Quality Circle Facilitator at the indicated points or, if you have a question / concern, at any time throughout your activity
  • Present your activity to department management and your Quality Circle Facilitator
  • You can only be in one QPS/QPJ program at a time
WHAT ARE THE STEPS?
The circle can be broken down into five steps:
  1. Problem Statement and Team Development
  2. Problem Description and Goal Setting
  3. Root Cause Analysis and Countermeasure Selection
  4. Countermeasure Planning, Testing and Implementation
  5. Checking Results
Click here to download the scoring criteria for a quick hit circle!


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