Postgraduate Diploma in Quality

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Quality is to develop the learner from a production and/or service environment to become a quality professional specialising in quality tools, techniques and projects. The qualifying learner will apply their pragmatic capabilities and proficiencies to decision-making and the management of quality projects. The qualification is designed to intensify the learner's skills and knowledge required for decision-making into sound quality practices. The curriculum will enable the learner competently to employ and integrate evidence-based techniques, practical experience and appropriate skills in an independent manner in conducting and managing research projects and the application of integrated systems.

The management of quality initiatives and decision-making is for the learner to employ appropriate methods of identifying, researching and diagnosing quality management problems as well as to institute an integrated quality management system. The qualification enables learners to assess the environmental influences critically on quality management activities.

Rationale

The qualification was developed to enable learners to specialise in the management of quality initiatives. The qualification provides learners with a wealth of knowledge skills and competencies of quality tools and techniques to be able to manage research projects and to implement these projects in their respective working environment.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Quality targets persons at all levels of management, as well as those who aspire to these positions and who wish to increase their promotional prospects by acquiring this qualification. Consequently, the qualification will contribute to the development of South African commerce and industry through the provision of quality and professional consultancy services and industry based learner project to assist small, medium and large scale industries to establish sound quality techniques.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with the institutions' policies and guidelines. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution will therefore endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment manages RPL according to the university's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment policy:

• Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures which will be applied by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
• RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements.

> Other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

> Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF evel.

> Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the programme.

> Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

> Is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Engineering.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A Bachelor degree in Management Services, Operations Management or Quality, NQF Level 7.

Or

• An Advanced Diploma in Management Services, Operations Management or Quality, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• Advanced Project Management, 20 Credits.
• Integrated Management Systems, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Quality Management, 20 Credits.
• Business Enterprise Law, 20 Credits.
• Research Project, 40 Credits.

1. Make a significant contribution to an organisation's strategic vision for success.
2. Implement strategic quality management practices in an organisation.
3. Formulate a quality management system in an integrated management system (Safety, Health, Environment, Risk and Quality) context.
4. Design advanced project management scenarios to enhance Quality projects, and deploy project leadership skills.
5. Compare research strategies to produce and collate data, perform rigorous interpretations and disseminate quality information.
6. Argue and address ethical issues based on critical reflections of ethical values within a complex, abstract and integrated quality context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Assess information for decision-making and control within the quality domain.
• Identify and discuss key sources of quality management problems.
• Discuss critically the quality service level problems.
• Viable solutions must be offered to the quality management problems.
• Explain their role in the organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Solve problems of various types within quality-related environments, and strategically evaluate solutions.
• Develop critical skills with regards to strategic planning and synthesising results.
• Evaluate and assess key principles and processes in the quality management environment and the application of different strategies.
• Evaluate the relevant theories of planning, monitoring and control.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop and apply the structure of an integrated management framework.
• Develop integrated management systems policies.
• Conduct a risk analysis.
• Formulate an audit process.
• Conduct a simulated audit process of integrated systems in an organisational setting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Correctly apply the six criteria for a useful project selection/screening model.
• Critically evaluate the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an organisation.
• Correctly demonstrate the application of resource management within a multi-project environment.
• Produce a final project report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Effectively collect data and carry out research in a management services area.
• Develop a literature review.
• Critically evaluate the findings of the research undertaken.
• Offer feasible solutions to management service challenges documented during the study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Complete the project timeously, ethically and responsibly.
• Provide relevant evidence and display good judgement regarding the time and cost implications of the research study.
• Demonstrate an awareness of ethical values in data collection.
• Motivate ethical behaviour in pursuing quality strategies and goals.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment process is governed by the Academic Regulations of the University. There will be at least one assessment opportunity before the final summative assessment for each module.

Formative Assessment

• The modules consist of different forms of formative assessments consisting of project reports, case studies, assignments etc., which will be implemented in each module, depending on the nature of the module. For example, feedback on assignments is returned to the learners within reasonable time, project presentations are scheduled in order for the instructor to provide comments, etc. These progress assessments are done solely by the module instructor. However, the final examination will require the involvement of a suitable external course examiner, who will be requested to approve the module examination paper and mark grading provided by the course instructor. No experiential learning is involved in the programme.

Summative Assessment

For the modules, each intermediate or progress assessment will be awarded a mark, which will be combined with the final examination mark based on pre-determined weightings for the module for the Research Report component, two assessors will be required, one will be an internal assessor and the other, an external assessor.