This course investigates the concept of “quality” in organizational culture, and how it has developed over time. A number of quality-improvement techniques will be explored, such as employee empowerment, quality-improvement tools, cross-functional teams, leadership for quality, continuous learning, process management, Taguchi methods, ISO 9000 standards, and the role of inspection in quality management. Issues concerning the implementation of methods such as Total Quality Management (TQM) will also be studied.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Understand the roles and responsibilities of all the stakeholders of Quality Management.
2. Develop and apply tools for control and Quality Management.
3. Implement methodologies for process control and continuous improvement.
4. Develop organizational leadership strategies for Quality Management.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

Week 1: Unit 1 – Understanding Quality Management

Week 2: Unit 2 – The EFQM Model of Excellence

Week 3: Unit 3 – Process Management

Week 4: Unit 4 – Quality Improvement Tools

Week 5: Unit 5 – Continuous Improvement

Week 6: Unit 6 – The Learning Organization

Week 7: Unit 7 – ISO 9000 Standard

Week 8: Unit 8 – Leadership for Quality

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Understanding Quality Management

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: The EFQM Model of Excellence

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Process Management

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: Quality Improvement Tools

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Continuous Improvement

• Peer assess Unit 4 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: The Learning Organization

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 7: ISO 9000 Standard

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Leadership for Quality

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Make entries to the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
• Take the Review Quiz
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven’t already done so
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam

The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor