This subject aims to give the student an in-depth understanding of the capabilities of Excel and how to select and utilise its inbuilt functions to solve real-life examples found in manufacturing and service quality.

The course will utilise real life problems in Manufacturing, Quality and Business which the student will need to analyse and solve using Excel. The major assignments will be more complex problems (and where appropriate) related to the students workplace. Students will be required to integrate their knowledge of Excel by generating an Excel file to solve a real life business problem such as a Quality, Planning or Reporting tool.

1. Design charts and graphs using Excel
2. Create and maintain lists, including filters and subtotals.
3. Use advanced features of Excel such as formula, functions and macros.
4. Construct pivot tables and pivot charts and use goal seek and solver.
5. Use Data Analysis capabilities of Excel and compare with other statistical based tools – e.g. Minitab

The student should be able to function as part of a team undertaking an Experimental Design Experiment and understand concepts of Reliability and be able to develop a sample inspection plan.

1. Explain the concepts of reliability
2. Perform simple reliability predictions and modeling.
3. Understand single and multiple sampling plans
4. Develop a single sample plan and O.C. Curve
5. Plan and conduct a designed experiment
6. Perform a Taguchi Experimental Design
7. Analyse and interpret data arising from a designed experiment.
8. Undertake basic Reliability design analysis usingFTA

This module aims to give the student the necessary skills to apply Lean tools and techniques in a workplace environment . The history and developmnent Lean and the Lean Philosophy is introduced. The Lean Principles and Lean Transformation Frameworks are identified.. The tools and techniques such as value stream mapping, standardisation of work, error proofing, visual signals and pull systems used to identify and eliminate waste (non-value added activities) through the entire process.

1. Describe the benefits of applying \”Lean Management\” techniques in a manufacturing or service environment
2. Identify the forms of waste in manufacturing and servcie processes

3. Describe a Lean Transformation Framework
4. Implement a Lean 5S program
5. Construct a Current and Future Value Stream map with associated material and information flows
6. Describe the principles underlying the Theory of Constraints (TOC)
7. Implement a Lean Visualisation Program

This module aims to provide learners with the statistical tools associated with the six sigma DMAIC philosophy specifically in the areas of Measure, Improve and control consistent with the ASQ and Quality America Green Belt Body of Knowledge. The student will be able to perform basic statistical analysis, develop and plots control charts, determine process and measurement capability. Minitab statistical software will be used to demonstrate and apply these statistical techniques.

1. Perform basic probability calculations by applying the probability rules and concepts
2. Describe and interpret the common probability distributions
3. Calculate, analyse and interpret measurement systems
4. Perform process capability and process perfromance analysis and interpret the results.
5. Perform exploratory data analysis using multi-vari charts, correlation and simple regression
6. Perform basic hypothesis testing eg. Hypothesis testing of means
7. Perform one way analysis of variance
8. Describe the experimental design terms and process
9. Develop control charts for variable and attribute data and interpret the results
10. Develop control charts with Minitab
11. Use the six sigma tools to implement control and monitoring systems

The student should be able lead a small project team or to provide technical and local support to a Project Manager on a large distributed project.

1. Discuss the project environment, characteristics, objectives, life cycle phases and the dimensions of project success
2. Apply numeric, non-numeric, profitability and scoring models in project selection
3. Discuss the roles and characteristics of project managers and project teams
4. Describe forms of project organisation and identify factors favouring particular forms
5. Describe and apply project planning techniques
6. Determine the differences between managing and leading a project and handling the influences of stakeholders
7. Describe how to build a high performance work team
8. Solve problems relating to resource allocation

Quality Management Systems is intended for anyone working in any manufacturing or service sector where a structured approach to product/service quality and customer satisfaction is important. It is ideally suited for those who have some experience of work life at any level and who now wish to develop a deeper understanding of the standards and approaches that facilitate and maintain quality at process and organisational level. The primary emphasis of the course is on the the ISO9000 family of Quality Management System standards but it also looks at equivalent standards in the automotive, pharmaceutical, medical device and food sectors. Related systems such as Environmental and Health and Safety get a mention in terms of similarity and opportunities for integration.

1. Interpret the requirements of the various standards in the ISO9000 family of quality management system standards.
2. Apply the process approach to any activity.
3. Promote the quality management principles throughout the organisation.

4. Plan and conduct audits.
5. Indentify opportunities for an integrated approach to various management system standards.

Apply statistical and probability techniques to present and analyse data. The student will be able to use trigonometry,differentiation and Integration to solve optimisation problems.

1. Perform calculations effectively using both approximations and scientific notation
2. Transpose and solve algebraic, exponential andtrigonometric equations using the logs and algebraic techniques
3. Interpret graphs drawn from functions and data sets and use techniques such as regression analysis to determine unknown quantities
4. Evaluate the area under a curveusing Simpsons rule
5. Apply calculus techniques to find maximum and minimum value and % errors
6. Compute the mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance of data
7. Calculate the probability of simple events and the probability associated with binomial, Poisson, and normal distributions

This course covers the core aspects of interpreting and/or setting quality characteristics and their verification through appropriate calibrated Inspection, Measurement and Testing processes.

It is intended for those who use, calibrate or specify inspection, measurement or test equipment for use in verifying quality or monitoring/controlling processes.

The module traces the metrological requirements from quality characteristics through instrument selection, evaluation and on-going calibration so that the student is fully aware of the purpose and operation of a good measurement management system.

1. Interpret various tolerance systems, product specifications and instrument characteristics.
2. Specify suitable measurement instruments and standards

3. Develop test and calibration methods

4. Identify sources of variability, error, and uncertainties

5. Assess the suitability of a measurement system through the use of Gauge S&R

6. Assess quality assurance of the measurement process using various management standards

The project aims to provide students with the opportunity to apply and integrate the skills and knowledge they have gained on the programme of study they are undertaking.

The student should bring the learning from the modules covered in the course to conceive, define and agree a project which is relevant to the subject matter they are studying. A mentor will be assigned to each project, which may be individual or group projects. The mentor will act as a guide in agreeing the relevance, and scope of the project, and monitor the progress on a regular basis. Updates will be sent to the mentor on an agreed basis.

Note: The majority of projects will be conducted in the workplace. As this is an online course, the majority of students are working in industry. Student blogs will be used to share best practices in Six Sigma across the class. Best practices will be generic use of the six sigma tools rather than any company specific information.

1. Identify a problem which needs to be addressed of importance to the organisation.
2. Utilise an appropriate structured approach to manage the project with realistic, interim and overall project objectives.
3. Prepare a written report which outlines in detail the background to the project, the methodology used, discussion, conclusions and recommendations.
4. Present project results with Executive Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations and discuss the approach taken and results achieved.

Six Sigma 1 ‑ Introduction to Lean Sigma quality aims to provide learners with an understanding of the tools and techniques of quality that are used in the attainment of a six-sigma quality environment. The principal goal of Six Sigma is to reduce variation in the process and improve quality. Through practical examples and exercises, learners will become proficient in the use of the basic problem-solving techniques used to monitor and control processes. The topics include: the Six Sigma DMAIC problem-solving process, Lean principles, FMEA's and risk management, the seven traditional quality tools, surveys, descriptive statistics and an introduction to inferential statistics. The module now includes lectures on Minitab – the industry-leading Six Sigma statistical software.

This module is also designed to meet the requirements of the Six Sigma Yellow belt award. This module aligns with the internationally recognised Six Sigma Green Belt body of knowledge from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and also from Quality America.

As this is an online course, the majority of students are working in industry.

1. Describe why organisations use Six Sigma andthe Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and DMAIC improvement methodology.
2. Define and describe Lean concepts and tools
3. Define, select and use the seven quality tools for problems solving, prioritising problems and improving processes. eg. Cause & Effect, Scatter Plots and Pareto charts.
4. Define, select and use the seven (new) management and planning tools. eg. Affinity diagrams, matrix diagrams and tree diagrams
5. Generate FMEAs and understand how they are used in risk management.

6. Calculate process performance metrics such as DPU, FTY, DPMO and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
7. Collect and summarise data using surveys, descriptive and inferential statistics and graphical methods.

This module provides a foundation to Production Management concepts and techniques. The historical development of production up to today's modern environment are addressed. Product and Process Design, Layout Planning and Forecasting are introduced. Capacity and Inventory Planning, Materials Planning and Scheduling are explained.

1. Explain the development of modern production management
2. Describe the production system and its various functions.

3. Explain how customers needs are transferred into product specification

4. Compare the different types of production systems
5. Solve simple production management problems

6. Display an understanding of capacity planning, inventory policies, materials planning and scheduling

This subject aims to provide the students with an understanding of the basic principles underlying workplace behaviour and to increase their ability to analyse issues that concern individuals and groups in organisations.

1. Analyse the methodologies used in organisational behaviour research.
2. Analyse ways that various personality dimensions such as motivation and perception are responsible for individual differences in the workplace.

3. Apply the principles of learning to various organisational activities.
4. Analyse the dynamics of groups and teams in the workplace.
5. Appraise different techniques for managing change in the workplace.
6. Discuss different ways in which conflict can be manifested and managed in organisations.
7. Assess the importance of organisational culture to organisational life.