49309 Quality Planning and Analysis

Subject level: Postgraduate

Subject coordinator

The Coordinator and Lecturer for this subject is Dr Hasan Akpolat. Dr. Akpolat has more than 20 years of industrial experience in both manufacturing and service industries, which spans over three continents and during which he successfully implemented operational improvement strategies and programmes in large and medium-sized organisations.

Previously with Johnson & Johnson and Siemens AG, Germany, and Sony, Australia, Hasan held senior management positions involving strategic planning, change management, process re-engineering, implementation of management systems and programmes.

Dr Akpolat is also a consultant to industry in development and implementation of management systems according to the International quality, safety and environmental management standards, and deployment of business improvement initiatives and programs including Total Quality Management, Six Sigma, Lean and Business Excellence Frameworks.

Please do not hesitate to contact him, if you have any ACADEMIC questions. He may be contacted e-mail:  hasan.akpolat@uts.edu.au

Handbook description

This subject enables students to develop an understanding of business process quality imperatives, values and methodologies for engineering practice and management, with particular reference to Australian enterprise, and a capability to meet challenges of quality management and improvement at individual or group level, evidenced by an ability to identify, capture and describe the need for quality improvement. It also enables students to plan, secure and demonstrate continuous improvement and assure best practice outcomes through continuous improvement processes involving the implementation of change.

Subject objectives/outcomes

This subject enables students to develop

1. Understanding of business process quality imperatives, values and methodologies for engineering practice and management, with particular reference to Australian enterprise.
2. Capability to meet challenges of quality improvement and assurance at individual or group level, evidenced by
   • ability to identify, capture and describe the need for quality improvement,
   • ability to plan, secure and demonstrate  continuous improvement,
   • ability to assure best practice outcomes through continuous improvement processes involving the implementation of change.

The subject focuses on a recognised priority for successful engineering practice and management, and has relevance for engineers with individual, group or divisional accountability for product or process outcomes, in all branches of the profession.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject has two main teaching components: Lectures and Tutorials. The lectures (including guest lectures) provide you the opportunity to listen to the lecturer(s), ask questions, meet fellow students, participate in the class discussions, etc. During the tutorials, students have the opportunity to discuss the assignment tasks and deepen their understanding of the topics covered in the lectures.

Lectures and tutorials are usually running in alternating week pattern. Semester schedule including of the lecture and tutorial dates will be announced at the start of semester (during first lecture and on subject website at UTSOnline).

In the tutorial week, there are 4 parallel running tutorial groups. You must register for one of the tutorial groups during the first lecture.

Note: Although attendance of tutorials and lectures is not compulsory, it is however highly recommended that you take this opportunity as they provide the platform for class interactions including discussions, Q&A, team work, etc.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Assignment (all exercises)

Assessment item 2: Final exam (closed book)

Minimum requirements

In order to pass this subject, students are required to obtain at least 50% of both the assignment marks and the exam marks.

Recommended text(s)

This subject does not require any specific text book. It utilises a study guide consisting of two main documents: the Subject Instructions (this document) and the Learning & Reading Materials (LRM).

The Subject Instructions contains all the necessary information including assessment tasks, tutorials, and a reference list. Please read this document carefully and contact your subject coordinator immediately if you have any difficulties in understanding of the instructions. The LRM consists of the presentations slides (used in the class room) and the readings at the end of each chapter.

Both the subject instructions and the LRM are available in form of an electronic copy on the subject web site at UTSOnline (http://online.uts.edu.au). The subject web site also provides other useful information and acts as a communication medium between the students and subject coordinator. Students can buy a copy of the LRM at the UTS Union Shop:
http://www.eng.uts.edu.au/Current_Students/ Distance/wheretobuy.htm

Indicative references

Akpolat, H.: Six Sigma in Transactional and Service Environments, Gower, Publishing, UK, 2004
Barra, R.: Putting Quality Circles To Work, McGraw-Hill, Inc., NY, 1989
Blakemore, J.: Quality Solution, The Business Library, Melbourne, 1989
Bound, G.: Beyond Total Quality Management, McGraw-Hill, NY, 1990.
Dale, B.G.: Managing Quality, Philip Alan, NY, 1990
Fox, M.: Quality Assurance Management, Chapman & Hall, UK, 1990
George, S. and Weimerskirch, A.: Total Quality Management, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, 1994
Gevirtz, Ch.: Developing New Products With TQM, McGraw-Hill, Inc., NY, 1994
Goetsch, D.: Introduction to Total Quality, Maxwell Macmillan International,  NY, 1994
Juran, J.M. and Gyrna, F.M.:    Quality Planning and Analysis, 3rd Edition,                    
McGraw-Hill Book Company, NY, 1993
Ross, J.E.: Total Quality Management, St. Lucie Press, FL, 1993
Shecter, E.: Managing for World-class Quality, Marcel Dekker, Inc., NY, 1992

Note: No text book is required for this subject.

Other resources

UTSOnline is a web-based learning tool used in many UTS subjects.  It can be accessed from inside and outside UTS via most web-browsers.

This subject will make use of UTSOnline http://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/   as a means of communication between teaching staff and students.  You should be registered automatically if you have enrolled correctly.  If you do not want to receive emails at your default UTS email account then you should forward emails to your preferred email address.

Students need to familiarise themselves with UTSOnline. Announcements will be made using this facility.  Students are expected to regularly check the announcements page for information.

Having problems logging on? Service Desk is the first point of contact for staff, students, and the general community in relation to Student Centre enquiries, the IT Support Centre and Audio Visual Services - https://servicedesk.uts.edu.au/CAisd/pdmweb.exe.
Note, use the login button if you are an existing student or staff member; use your student or staff number with your UTS Access (email) password to login. Guest login is for all other customers. Service Desk will be unavailable from 2am-3am weekdays and 2am-6am Sunday for backups and scheduled maintenance.

UTS Administrative Information – www.uts.edu.au/students/index.html

Engineering postgraduate information - www.eng.uts.edu.au/ Current_Students/postgraduate/