32nd QualTech Prize - Project Team FAQs

32nd QualTech Prize - Project Team FAQs

1.    What is a Process?

  • A series of activities and tasks that deliver value across supplier departments, operations departments, and distribution departments until the output is received by the ‘user’. The output must satisfy the condition: Fitness for Use.

2.    What is improvement?

  • A structured Problem Solving methodology that uses logical left brain quality-improvement tools. Change is incremental and continuous. Over time, the change can be substantial. Process outputs are characterized by: Better, Cheaper, Faster.
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3.   Examples of improvement methodologies

  • Problem Solving
  • Juran on Quality Improvement (JQI)
  • Six Sigma
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Theory of Constraints
  • Toyota Production System
  • Total Productive Maintenance

4.    What is innovation?

  • A structured Problem Solving methodology that engages logical left brain quality-improvement tools with creativity tools. Change is disruptive and significant. Shows a new way of working. Process outputs are characterized by: Better, Cheaper, Faster, Different.
    Download e-book
  • USD 700 per project
  • Early Bird and Past Participant discounts offered

5.   Examples of innovation methodologies

  • TRIZ for Creative Problem Solving
  • Creativity Tools – Bob King
  • Six Thinking Hats – Edward de Bono

6.    What is Green Breakthroughs?

  • In the process of extracting and harvesting resources in order to produce and use goods, the industrial system also generates waste – waste from extracting and harvesting resources, and from how we produce, use, and eventually discard goods. This waste damages the ability of nature to replenish resources. This is the focus of Green Projects. Such projects deliver: clean air; drinkable water; fertile soil; stable climate; etc.
  • USD 700 per project
  • Early Bird and Past Participant discounts offered

7.   What is Quality Fables Competition?

8.   Who can participate?

  • Middle Management project teams that have solved problems

9.   Why participate?

  • Share your improvement / innovation / green breakthroughs with other participants
  • Learn how others have employed the criteria. Even a single idea can help your organization save millions!
  • Benchmark your project against assessment criteria and other project entries
  • Recognize employees for their continuous improvement / disruptive innovation / green breakthrough efforts.

10.   What are the benefits of participating?

  • Recognize employees for their Continuous Improvement, Disruptive Innovation and Green Breakthrough efforts
  • Internal recognition of your middle management through projects shortlisted for the QualTech® Prize
  • External recognition of project teams that make it to the final round
  • External recognition of project teams, if they are selected winners / runners-up of the QualTech® Prize competition
  • One-page Feedback report to each project team from Examiners after the preliminary round.
  • Cross Industry Benchmarking of Best Practices at QualTech® Prize.

11.   Do we need to share proprietary / confidential information in the project report?

  • Teams are not required to provide proprietary or confidential information in the project report. If however, some proprietary / confidential data in necessary for Examiner assessments, the ‘Additional Information’ section may be used. This information is shared with Examiners who have been assigned your projects and judges, if the project is shortlisted for the Final Round.

12.   Are there any elimination rounds?

  • Yes. Examiners will assess all projects and shortlist projects for the semi-finalists (Round 2). Senior Examiners will assess projects of all semi-finalists and shortlist Finalists.

13.   What do we need to submit for the preliminary round?

  • Completed online registration form
  • Entry fee
  • Organization profile
  • Organization logo
  • Project report
  • Powerpoint presentation
  • Team members details.

14.   We completed a project last year; can we submit it this year?

  • If your projects are still seeing benefits at the time of submission or have been completed within the last 2 years and include measurable results, you can submit your projects.

15.   We submitted a project last year. Can we resubmit the project again this year?

  • Projects submitted for previous editions of QualTech Prize are not eligible for resubmission.

16.   What is the criteria against which by project will be assessed?

  • For improvement projects, each of the points below will be scored on a scale of 1-5
    - Introduction (5 points)
    - Problem Definition (10 points)
    - Problem Diagnosis (25 points)
    - Problem Remedy (25 points)
    - Locking the Improvement/Innovation (10 points)
    - Cloning the Improvement/Innovation (10 points)
    - Tangible Results (10 points)
    - Intangible Results (5 points)
  • For innovation projects, each of the points below will be scored on a scale of 1-5
    - Introduction (5 points)
    - Problem Definition (10 points)
    - Problem Redefinition (5 points)
    - Generate/Harvest Ideas (10 points)
    - Transfer Knowledge (10 points)
    - Identify Combinations/Evaluate Alternate Solutions (10 points)
    - Develop a Specific Innovative Solution (25 points)
    - Lock the Innovation (10 points)
    - Tangible Results (10 points)
    - Intangible Results (5 points)
  • For green breakthrough projects, each of the points below will be scored on a scale of 1-5
    - What was the Green area of concern? How was it identified? (10 points)
    - How was the Green areas of concern prioritized? Was there a role of upper management? (10 points)
    - How was the impact of the Green area of concern assessed? (10 points)
    - How was the Green area of concern resolved or reduced? (50 points)
    - What are the Green benefits for the organization and society? (20 points)

17.   How to participate?

  • The first step is to take prior management approval
  • The next step is to complete the online registration form
  • Payment is required before we can give access to the dashboard.

18.   By when can we sign-up?

  • 30-June-2021

20.   By when are the submissions due?

  • 15-July-2021

21.   What is your substitution policy?

  • You may substitute projects at any time before 30-June-2021.
  • An email with the change in project title is required.

22.   What is your cancellation policy?

  • Before 30-June-2021 - 50% of the participation fee.
  • After 30-June-2021 - 100% of the participation fee.

23.   What is the entry fee?

  • INR 20,000 + applicable taxes, per project. It includes:
    - Project entry to the competition
    - 1 entry for Quality Fables Competition 2021
    - Online access to the event handout

24.   Does the fee include travel and accommodation?

  • QualTech Prize 2021 is a virtual event and therefore no travel is involved.

25.   By when should we pay?

  • 15-July-2021

26.   How do we make payment?

  • RTGS/NEFT – Please email qualtech@qimpro.com for details
  • Shopping Cart – Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, e-Wallets
  • Cheque / Draft – In favour of ‘Qimpro Consultants Pvt. Ltd.’
  • We do not accept payment in cash.

27.   What are the felicitation categories?

  • The Panel of Judges will select:
    -   QualTech® Prize Winner for Improvement / Innovation / Green Breakthroughs
    -   QualTech® Prize 1st Runner-up for Improvement / Innovation / Green Breakthroughs
    -   QualTech® Prize 2nd Runner-up for Improvement / Innovation / Green Breakthroughs
    -   Quality Fables Competition Winner
    -   Each team that does not make it to the semi-finals will receive a QualTech® Prize e-Certificate of Participation
    -   Each Semi-finalist team will receive a QualTech® Prize e-Certificate of Merit
    -   Each Finalist team will receive a QualTech® Prize e-Certificate of Achievement
    -   Each Winning team will receive a QualTech® Prize e-Certificate of Excellence
    -   Each Runner-up team will receive a QualTech® Prize e-Certificate of Excellence.

28.   Do you provide presentation guidelines / templates?

  • Yes. It will be shared with registered participants.

29.   How do I register projects?