Business Improvement Techniques
Introduction
The primary objective of the Business Improvement Techniques qualification is to improve business performance as a whole. This can only be done by empowering the people who make up the organisation; this includes the top level management, middle management, team leaders and all other employees who will have a part to play in improving the performance of the business.
In order for business to improve performance, change within the workplace has to take place. The change starts with the Business Improvement Techniques NVQ’s which will enable organisations to train their employees towards the competencies they will need to achieve this qualification.
These NVQ’s are not an alternative to any offer qualification but are intended to sit alongside those qualifications you already have or are working towards. They are intended to maximise your company profits and revenues by the elimination of waste and the creation of flow through the business by reducing cost and variation. They are also intended to improve responsiveness by making more effective use of people and physical assets.
The NVQ’s are based on national occupational standards. They recognise that candidates who have demonstrated their ability to reach the standard have the skill associated knowledge to work safely and competently at the appropriate level in their chosen area. Those not completing the full qualification can gain a certificate for the assessment routes they have achieved.
Benefits of the Qualifications
The Business-Improvement Techniques NVQ’s benefit both employers and employees in a variety of ways.
For the employers the qualification can:
Improve business performance and help with contracts
- Maximise company profits and revenues
- Reduce costs, variation and waste
- Assist with recruitment and retention
- Boost employee morale and motivation
- Demonstrate the quality of the workforce to existing and potential customers
- Help reduce workplace accidents
For the employees the qualification can:
Provide evidence of ability to do a particular job
- Help improve career development/promotion chances
- Give a sense of achievement
- Be gained on the job
- Be completed at a time and pace to suit
Structure of Qualifications
Candidates are required to complete the common mandatory assessment routes, followed by the required number of assessment routes from their choice of pathway.
The pathways may have a further number of mandatory assessment routes, followed by a number of optional assessment routes from a provided selection.
Mandatory Assessment Routes
The candidate is required to complete all five mandatory assessment routes plus one optional assessment route, which may come from Level 2 Quality Improvement pathway.
Mandatory Assessment Routes |
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EAL Assessment Route Code |
QCA Code |
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BIR/201 |
Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements |
A/103/9390 |
BIR/202 |
Contributing to effective team working |
F/103/9391 |
BIR/204 |
Applying workplace organisation techniques |
J/103/9392 |
BIR/205 |
Applying continuous improvement techniques (Kaizen) |
L/103/9393 |
BIR/209 |
Creating visual management systems |
R/103/9394 |
Optional Assessment Routes |
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BIR/207 |
Analysing and selecting parts for improvements |
Y/103/9395 |
BIR/208 |
Carrying out lead time analysis |
D/103/9396 |
BIR/211 |
Applying set-up reduction techniques |
H/103/9397 |
BIR/212 |
Applying Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) |
K/103/9397 |
BIR/213 |
Applying problem solving techniques |
M/103/9399 |
BIR/214 |
Carrying out Statistical Process Control procedures (SPC) |
Y/103/9400 |
BIR/215 |
Applying flow process analysis |
D/103/9401 |
BIR/221 |
Carrying out potential Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) |
H/103/9402 |
BIR/224 |
Carrying out Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) |
K/103/9404 |
BIR/229 |
Carrying out mistake/error proofing (Poka Yoke) |
M/103/9404 |
BIR/236 |
Creating standard operating procedures |
T/103/9405 |
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