This module will serve as a capstone to the MSc in Strategic Quality Management - Lean Sigma Systems. Participants will undertake a series of workshops and seminars with industry experts and professionals that will run over the course of the MSc programme. The module will build on the content of the Lean and Six Sigma project modules in year 1 and year 2 respectively. The students will produce a substantial piece of work that will: 1. provide an opportunity to apply the breadth of knowledge and experience acquired during MSc programme of study to a suitable, conceptually challenging, piece of work that is coherent and authoritative in its scoping, planning and execution. 2. allow the student to consolidate their Lean Sigma improvement and management knowledge through a substantive piece of work, which is informed by theory, research and practice that is at the forefront of the discipline. 3. enable students to evaluate methodologies, develop critiques, interpret knowledge and, where appropriate, propose new processes, practices and procedures for their project site. 4. enhance students' awareness of the external environment in professional, social and behavioural contexts in the theory and practice of Lean Sigma.

The syllabus will provide a broad, supportive and highly integrated programme of study, designed to facilitate self management of the research project. Subjects include: - Approaches to action research design and methodology - Development road maps for lean and six sigma improvement projects. - Business contexts for successful implementation and maintenance of change/improvement initiatives. - External and internal factors and their effects on the behaviour, management and sustainability of organisation initiatives. - Internal factors, functions and processes, structures and governance, operations and management - Self reflection and criticality in the research process - Developing skills for reflective, collaborative and adaptive learning. Practitioner led workshops will link theory to practices informing students scoping, planning and implementation of their company based work.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to: Critically identify and evaluate key issues impacting organisations and their environments, identifying relationships and drawing elements together into coherent frameworks to support the implementation/maintenance of lean sigma. Identify and engage with key business and management theories and concepts associated with lean sigma to produce written work that demonstrates depth of knowledge and application in approach and content. Organise, manage, and sustain a substantial body of work over a period of months and incorporate critical reflection and evaluation as part of the monitoring and control process. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Write in a clear, precise and unambiguous manner to a prescribed format and using appropriate media.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to: Demonstrate an advanced capability to investigate lean sigma and the pervasive issues such as culture, behaviour, globalisation, corporate social responsibility, diversity, business innovation, creativity, enterprise development, knowledge management and risk management etc. that impact on the success of lean sigma initiatives.

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This module is a structured self directed study module. Participants will undertake a series of workshop and seminars with industry experts and professionals that will run over the course of the MSc programme. Delivery is blended to allow for the most effective elements to face-to-face contact, web enabled communication, self-directed study, distance and online learning to be utilised. Participants are exposed to a supportive and dynamic learning environment in which there is an emphasis on peer learning, team learning, critical reflection and feedback. Through the virtual learning environment students have an opportunity to engage with a range of learning methods and problems. Between session students are supported by faculty and staff online. The programme support the development of all 6 graduate attributes: KNOWLEDGEABLE: Students develop critical thinking as they distil theory into practice through identifying tools and techniques suitable for their context. PROACTIVE: Students make active use of data and research to examine a enterprise problem, and in doing so develop confidence in managing a data and to make informed decisions based on the scientific method. CREATIVE: Students develop their problem solution, which requires them to integrate existing knowledge in a new way. RESPONSIBLE: Students manage their own problem solving projects, including submitting their problem statement and method to external scrutiny for consideration. COLLABORATIVE: Students engage regularly with their line manage, work colleagues and supervisor, and must implement and build on the inputs and guidance provided. ARTICULATE: Students develop the ability to communicate challenging, academic and technical concepts to a variety of audiences, academic, strategic, operational inside and outside their organisations.