Continuous Improvement (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

Define the Continuous Improvement Framework
- Establish the quality tools for continuous improvement and problem-solving
- Evaluate critically the applying of quality tools in practice
- Quantitative methods in process improvement
- Qualitative methods in process improvement

Online lectures: 14 hours together (2 or 4 hours/day)

3.10. Fri 8-12
24.10. Fri 8-12
21.11. Fri 8-10
12.12. Fri 8-12

Online lectures:
The student must attend the start of the course, where the teacher will visit the student's
the information relevant to the completion of the course.
3.10.2025 8.00 - 12.00 (start of the course)

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to
-analyze processes in his/her field,
-apply the process improvement tools so that the customer requirements are considered
-conduct process improvement projects in his/her own field
-utilize different problem-solving tools
-define the main quality tools
-to lead and communicate the change project

Content

-Quantitative methods in process improvement
-Qualitative methods in process improvement
-Main Quality tools

Materials

Suggested article list on ItsLearning,

Scott A, Laman, The Certified Quality Engineer Handbook. ASQ Quality Press Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2022
Data Analysis and Design of Experiment:
Michael H. Herzog, Gregory Francis, Aaron Clarke. Understanding Statistics and Experimental Design - How to Not Lie with Statistics. Springer Open. 2019 ISBN 978-3-030-03498-6 ISBN 978-3-030-03499-3 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03499-3

Continuous Improvement Standards and other materials provided by the lecturers.

Teaching methods

- Group assignments
- Individual assignments
- Learning diary

Exam schedules

no exams

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Innovation pedagogy, flipped learning and team-based learning in student groups and presentations (substance and communication skills)
- Individual assignments
- Independent working and information retrieval from reference material

The course covers the principles of sustainable development from an economic, environmental and social perspective, thus promoting responsible and sustainable business practices.

Completion alternatives

You can discuss an alternative method with your teacher. In the HOPS discussion, you can bring up any previous substitutions or substitutions that can be made for or included in the subject.

Student workload

Total, average student work is about 133h. Webinars cover about 14h, all remaining in individual learning, assignment works including student group collaboration.

Designing and implementing continuous framework and quality tools for your own business field or organization (or other institution, brand etc.)

Self-evaluation of learning and individual learning diary.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Assessment will be based on the individual and group assignments submitted in the itslearning course platform.
Grading of the course is done as follows:

pre-assignments (approved /failed)
class assignments (approved/failed)
Individual assignments (approved/failed)
Group works (quality tools in continuous improvement) (failed - 5)
Group work (process improvement) (approved/failed)
Personal Learning Diary (failed - 5)

Learning tasks must be returned by the due date. All assignments must be returned by the end of the course, unless otherwise agreed with the teacher before the end of the course. Any re-submission of a rejected assignment will be made according to the instructions and timetable given by the teacher.
The course can be approved when all the assignments are passed at least with the minimum grade.

In addition to the knowledge base, the reporting assessment will focus on the knowledge of academic conventions (such as writing style and tone, text structure, correct citation technique including in-text citations and bibliography), depth of coverage.
Returning assignments after the specified deadline (late) may have a negative impact on the grade of the assignment.

Artificial intelligence can be used in the creation of outputs, but the student
must clearly report its use. Failure to disclose the use of AI will be interpreted as
fraud. The use of AI may affect the assessment.

Failed (0)

Quantity:
Assignments are not completed to an acceptable level.
Quality:
The minimum learning objectives are not met (see course description),
There is a lack of knowledge of academic conventions.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Quantity:
Research, thinking, communication and reflection are acceptable
Quality:
Appear to grasp theory and have made a start in showing its applicability.
Knowledge of academic conventions is inadequate.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Quantity:
Research, thinking, communication and reflection are good.
Quality:
General understanding of theory and application in real-life context
Knowledge of academic conventions is good, although there may be systematic minor errors.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Quantity:
Mastery of theory and penetrating insights in real-life context
Quality:
Outstanding research, thinking, communication and reflection
Knowledge of academic conventions is excellent.

Further information

ItsLearning
heidi.salokangas@turkuamk.fi