EMAIL: dstout@stmartin.edu

WEB SITE: http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/dstout/

REQUIRED TEXT: Sowers, Essentials of Quality, Wiley, c.2011

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Enhance the student’s understanding of the complexities of statistical analysis and control-chart interpretation and their work-place application.

Provide skills in diagnosing and analyzing problems causing variation in manufacturing and service industry processes.

Provide a basic understanding of "widely-used" quality analysis tools and techniques. Create an awareness of the quality management problem-solving techniques currently in use.

Material will be presented using a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, in-class exercises, multimedia cases, short videos, web site exercises, homework, case analysis and presentation, and class discussion of assigned readings. When possible a cooperative, student-centered learning approach will be utilized to enable a high level of student involvement.

Introduction

• Quality basics and history
• Definitions of quality
• Major contributors to quality

• Deming
• Juran
• Crosby
• Ishikawa
• Taguchi
• Feigenbaum
• Shewhart

Strategic Quality Management

• STQM
• Dimensions, measures, and metrics
• Garvin's approach to operationalizing quality dimensions

Designing Quality Into Products and Services

• Seven management tools
• Quality function deployment (QFD)
• Design for six sigma (DFSS)
• Robustness
• Reliability
• Risk assessment (FMEA and FTA)

Creativity in Quality

• Breakthrough improvement
• Designing the innovative organization 

Quality Systems and QS Auditing

• Quality management systems
• ISO9000
• Baldridge

Product, Process, and Materials Control

• Identification of materials and status
• Traceability
• Supplier management

Quality Improvement Tools

• Seven quality tools
• PDSA
• DMAIC
• Benchmarking

Metrology, Inspection, Testing

• Gauging
• Precision and accuracy
• Non-destructive testing

Statistical Process Control

• Probability and statistics
• Variation

Variable Control Charts

• x-bar and R-bar charts
• Moving Average and Moving Range Charts
• Charts for Individuals
• Median and Range Charts 

Control Charts for Attributes

• Non-conforming
• Non-conformities (defects)

Quality Costs

• Quality Cost Measurement
• Utilizing Quality Costs for Decision-Making

Human Factors in Quality

• Barriers to quality improvement efforts
• Employee involvement

GRADING:

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION: (30 points)

I recommend you come to each class session. I appreciate your presence and active participation during each class period. Your willingness to share your personal work experiences and insights enhances course value for all students.

EXAMS: (20 points) You should expect to take a final exam. I may, depending upon class progress, offer a midterm exam as well. Whether or not a midterm exam is given, the point total for one or both exams combined will be 20 points.

PRESENTATIONS: (20 points) I will ask you to make a number of presentations over the course of the semester. Their purpose is to cause your classmates to understand and be able to apply specific subject area concepts or principles. They are also intended to give you an opportunity to further improve your oral presentation skills.

HOMEWORK/QUIZZES: (30 points)

I ask you to adhere to the following guidelines:

1) I expect all homework submissions to be typed. I recommend you do all charts and graphs in MS Excel.

2) Precede every homework answer with a restatement of the homework question.

3) Show all work. Indicate intermediate steps you took to arrive at each answer.

You may work in study groups to do homework problems. I have found discussion within study groups contributes to overall understanding. A cautionary note, I expect you to do your own cogitating. You should use your group as a means to help you hurdle specific problem areas, not to replace your own problem-solving thought process.

Unannounced quizzes on reading assignments and problems will be given periodically. Quiz points will count toward your "homework/quiz" total.

Try to be at all class meetings. If you miss a class - without pre-excusal - it may be the class I hand out an unannounced pop quiz or collect homework. Missed quizzes and late homework earn scores of 0.

Keeping in touch with me: First, ask questions in class (it helps you and may help others). Alternatively, visit me during my posted office hours. Slide a note under my office door ("Old Main" room 370). Call me (360 438-4587). Or, send me an email (dstout@stmartin.edu).

Special assistance: The Learning Center offers individual learning consultations, study group assistance, handouts and books on study skills, and free peer tutoring in the following subject areas: math, chemistry, physics, economics, accounting, Spanish, French, and Japanese. The tutoring schedules are posted in the lower level of O'Grady Library. To learn more about resources available through the Learning Center you are encouraged to visit their website: www.stmartin.edu/academics/learning_center/index.htm.

Special needs: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have medical and/or safety concerns to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.