One process is known as Quality Circles. They are a rigorous, participative, fact-based approach towards process improvement utilizing production level employees to solve problems within the workplace. Definition of Quality Circles Quality Circles or Quality Teams, as they are also known, may be defined as group of people brought together to solve a problem. Usually the group is between 3-15 members. I have found that groups between 5-8 usually are the best to work with.
Larger groups tend to get bogged down in discussion and often get sidetracked.
There is no leader or management person amongst the group. Hence the term Quality Circle. A circle has no end point. Each point on the circle is equal. A Quality Circle has the similar characteristic in that each member of the team shares equally in the decision making and responsibilities.