Lab Assignment 1: Chemcut Laboratory

Introduction:

Quality of a product does not simply happen on its own.  Continuous improvement is required to gain improved quality and reduce costs.  To stay competitive in today’s changing market management must work with all employees to create an atmosphere conducive to producing a quality product.

Objectives:

1. Gain knowledge about the process of continuous improvement.

2. Learn specific methods for improving quality.

3. Observe an interview with a manager of a Pennsylvania company regarding experience with using various methods and how the company has increased quality over the years.

Activity:

Answer the following questions.  Some questions may not be directly answered in the video, so you may use other resources (i.e., lecture notes, textbook) or your own knowledge to answer the questions.

Questions:

1. List and explain two reasons why team based management is so important.

2. Why might change not be well received by some employees?

3. How can quality be defined and measured?

4. List two Kaizen principles, how they should be implemented and their benefits to the company as well as product quality.

5. List three of Deming’s principles and identify their benefits to quality.

6. Describe how a company can compare itself to other companies in their industry in terms of quality.

7. Explain how statistics might be used to increase quality.

8. Describe a situation where the use of statistics and/or analysis may not be appropriate.

9. Explain how good employee workstations and employee efficiency contribute to quality.