Business Improvement Techniques Level 3

This qualification is aimed at employees in the engineering sector, but is also available for use by other sectors, who wish to improve productivity and cut waste in the process of production/provision of goods and services. The qualification will enable employees to identify solutions to problems, standardise operations or seek improvements to processes.

What will be studied:

The Level 3 NVQ in Business-Improvement Techniques contains two pathways — Process Improvement and Quality Improvement. In addition to three common mandatory units, candidates will be required to complete further mandatory units for their chosen pathway followed by a choice of optional units.

Candidates on the Process Improvement pathway must prove competence in nine units in total:

3 common mandatory units from group A

3 mandatory units from group B1

1 option unit from group B2

2 option units from group B3.

Candidates on the Quality Improvement pathway must prove competence in ten units in total:

3 common mandatory units from group A

4 mandatory units from group C1

3 option units from group C2.

Group A – Common Mandatory Units

All candidates are required to complete the three mandatory units.

Unit 1: Complying with Statutory Regulations and Organisational Safety Requirements

Unit 2: Contributing to Effective Team Working

Unit 3: Leading Effective Teams

Group B1 - Mandatory Units for the Process Improvement pathway

Unit 4: Applying Workplace Organisation Techniques

Unit 5: Applying Continuous Improvement Techniques (Kaizen)

Unit 9: Creating Visual Management Systems

Group B2 - Option Units for the Process Improvement pathway

Unit 6: Creating Flexible Production and Manpower Systems

Unit 37: Carrying Out Problem Solving Activities

Note: Whichever unit is selected from group B2 (ie Unit 6 or 37) cannot then be selected again as one of the two optional units required from Group B3.

Group B3 - Option Units for the Process Improvement pathway

Unit 6: Creating Flexible Production and Manpower Systems

Unit 7: Analysing and Selecting Parts for Improvements

Unit 8: Carrying out Lead Time Analysis

Unit 10: Carrying Out Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

Unit 11: Applying Set-up Reduction Techniques

Unit 12: Applying Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

Unit 14: Carrying Out Statistical Process Control Procedures (SPC)

Unit 15: Applying Flow Process Analysis

Unit 16: Applying Policy Deployment (HOSHIN KANRI)

Unit 17: Applying Value Management (Value Engineering and Value Analysis)

Unit 21: Carrying Out Potential Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

Unit 24: Carrying Out Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)

Unit 29: Carrying Out Mistake/Error Proofing (POKA YOKE)

Unit 36: Creating Standard Operating Procedures

Unit 37: Carrying Out Problem Solving Activities

Group C1 - Mandatory Units for the Quality Improvement pathway

Unit 18: Applying Six Sigma Methodology to a Project

Unit 19: Carrying Out Six Sigma Process Mapping

Unit 20: Applying Basic Statistics

Unit 21: Carrying Out Potential Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

Group C2 - Option Units for the Quality Improvement pathway

Unit 14: Carrying Out Statistical Process Control Procedures (SPC)

Unit 22: Applying Six Sigma Metrics to a Project

Unit 23: Producing a Characteristic Selection Matrix

Unit 24: Carrying Out Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)

Unit 25: Carrying Out Capability Studies

Unit 26: Producing Multi Variance Charts

Unit 27: Applying Hypothesis Testing

Unit 29: Carrying Out Mistake/Error Proofing (POKA YOKE)

How is the award assessed?

Like all NVQs this qualification is competence based. This means that they are linked to a person’s ability to competently perform a range of tasks connected to their work. The employee will undertake a period of induction and will be observed in the workplace whilst carrying out their normal job roles.

The method of delivery will depend on the individual and their organisation and will normally include some training sessions. This award does not require employees to sit a formal exam. A portfolio of evidence is collated by the employee and this is assessed periodically throughout the programme.

Progression:

NVQ’s or higher education