Advanced Diploma in Quality

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Quality is to prepare learners from production and service environment to become a quality practitioner, specialising in quality tools and techniques. The qualifying learner will apply a body of knowledge, skills and applied competencies of quality and quality principles, tools and techniques to implement, maintain and improve quality in their respective working environment. The qualification is intended to develop a qualifying learner who is proficient in the knowledge, attitudes, insight, and skills required for quality management. The proposed curriculum will enable the learner to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, and appropriate skills in an independent manner in a variety of settings.

Rationale

To ensure continued articulation, the institution developed this qualification, given the dramatic changes that have occurred within the business sector over the last decade. The shortage of persons both in the public and private sectors with the requisite management knowledge and skills to execute their duties efficiently and effectively presented an ideal opportunity to develop a new and more relevant curriculum. Therefore, this qualification has been designed to equip learners that come from either the production or service environment (both public and private sector), to become a quality practitioner specialising in quality technologies and methodologies. The target market for the qualification is persons in junior/middle management position, as well as, those who aspire to these positions and who wish to increase promotional prospects by acquiring this qualification. Consequently, this contributes towards the development of the business sector in the form of provision of quality and professional consultancy services. Industry based learner projects have been included to assist small to medium scale industries to establish sound quality techniques.

The qualification has therefore been designed to enrich learners' body of knowledge with critical skills and abilities needed in today's industry in the field of quality management with particular emphasis on quality management techniques, research methods, and quality tools. The qualification enhances the learner's knowledge and develops applied competence in understanding research processes, principles, and, therefore, it further develops the research and professional skills of the learner, which includes analysis and interpretation of the research findings. The qualification prepares learners to meaningfully contribute to an organisation's quality systems as well as acquisition, utilisation, and development of quality tools and techniques.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be applied in line with the institutions' policies and guidelines. The institution accepts RPL as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and will, therefore, endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The RPL policy will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification

• Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Operations Management, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Management Services, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Statistical Quality Techniques, 12 Credits.
• Quality Planning and Implementation, 12 Credits.
• Quality Management Systems, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Continual Quality Improvement, 16 Credits.
• Quality Auditing Systems, 16 Credits.
• Quality Techniques, 16 Credits.
• Project Management, 16 Credits.

1. Implement a quality management system.
2. Apply relevant quality principles to resolve problems and to introduce change within a quality system.
3. Use resources with limited accountability for the decisions and actions of others in varied and inappropriate quality contexts.
4. Act ethically and professionally within a quality improvement team context as well as individually.
5. Facilitate collaborative learning processes and continued development.
6. Apply quality management standards, statutory and regulatory requirements.
7. Develop research projects to manage quality data within a familiar quality context through the application of research methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss quality management terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, definitions, standards, requirements correctly.
• Explain quality theories and principles in the context of a quality system.
• Interpret applications and theories of quality systems, statistics, and quality auditing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Interpret the principles of auditing, statistics, quality, and the methods to address challenges pertaining a quality system.
• Conduct simulated opening meeting, quality auditing procedures, and closing meetings.
• Apply statistical quality control with the aid of process control charts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Produce well-defined arguments to solve quality-related problems.
• Use quality principle-driven arguments to take full responsibility for decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Portray leadership abilities within a team context by conducting group activities that address communication skills, interpersonal skills, conflict handling, decision making.
• Identify appropriate ethical values and approaches within a quality environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify learning needs in a self-directed manner.
• Develop group activities involving knowledge sharing through a collaborative effort.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Explain systems requirement comprehensively.
• Use quality-driven arguments to sustain and improve the quality system.
• Integrate quality management system with other associate standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Maintain appropriate processes of data gathering.
• Validate the source independently, evaluate and disseminate information, and communicating ideas and opinions in well-formulated arguments.
• Report on research findings accurately.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

• Project reports, case studies, assignments.

Summative Assessment

• Examination.